Letter to Vietnam (Dear Son)

Annotation

"Letter to Vietnam (Dear Son)" Country. Patriotic. Narrated from father of soldier, writing letter to son in Vietnam. Father recalls fighting in Korea and WW2. Supports government cause - fighting for freedom of world. Criticises demonstrations at home. "I Think I'll Run for President" Country. Patriotic. Runs on platform of opposition to riots, and calls for end of Congressional restrictions in Vietnam, criticising the activities of doves.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: I'm writing this letter tonight son, just hoping that you're alright / I hope you'll remember that I told you to pray son every night / Remember son what I went through in Korea and World War Two / That god was with me in each of these wars, and I know he is with you... / I can shut me eyes and see you son in the stillness of the night / Lying there in a foxhole, just praying for the light / Remember son what I told you just before we said goodbye / To never fear, god is near, don't be afraid to die / A soldier son is only as good as the courage he has within / And our boys son, as you know, always seem to win / We have demonstrations here son, but they are very few / The majority son, they are really with you / I hope my son that you're like me / That when it comes to fighting overseas that you realise / That what you doing will save the whole world from ruin / The whole world is worried son, when it comes to Vietnam / That's why you must stand up and fight son, to bring freedom... / I think I'll run this year...I am a man of no fear... / There wouldn't be any riotism / Cause I'd take all that riotism and turn it into patriotism / Now about this Vietnam situation, I know what I'd do / I'd turn of these restrictions and man I'd get it through / I'm just smart enough to know you can't please everyone / Give them an inch and they'll take a mile / And one more, because they are just plain old doves

Notes

Oil Capital Record No. 1239, 45 RPM, stereo, white label with oil-derrick logo; Oil Capital Records, P.O. Box 50413, Tulsa, Okla. 74150, phones (918) 932-3860 and (918) 939-0138. "Letter to Vietnam (Dear Son)" (Ed Faucett), ASCAP, time 2:11, side SoN 106522, credited to Ed Faucett; flip "I Think I'll Run for President" (Ed Faucett), ASCAP, time 2:43, side SoN 106521, credited to "President-Leaky-Faucett" and marked "Side—A—Push". On both labels the printed publisher is struck through and "Big Red Pub." is stamped beneath. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Country singer who wrote and recorded for Oil Capital Records of Tulsa, Oklahoma, releasing the 1972 single 'Hippie Stomp' / 'Letter From Vietnam (Dear Mother)' (Oil Capital 1238, pressed via Sound of Nashville); he self-published via Big Red Publishing (ASCAP). [Source: Discogs / Dollar Country / 45cat]

Themes

Patriotic · WW2 · Korea · Demonstration

In collections

US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]