Lied voor Vietnam [Song for Vietnam]

Annotation

Double-side anti-war / protest single released in Belgium, and performed by Belgium opera singer John Geentjens, also with spoken-word extracts, organised by the De Humanitaire Werkgroup X, featuring two songs: "Lied voor Vietnam" ("Song for Vietnam") and "Gedichten: Denk eraan - een jongetje uit Vietnam" ("Poems: Remember - a Boy From Vietnam"). There is no date on the record - but probably released in the war years. The notes on the back called for sending medication "from the port of Antwerp" to "to help in Vietnam. The human need is greatest because of the endless war".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

Dutch: Help the developing countries of the developing world", people ask from all sides. And the man in the street gives 20 F once a year. A drop on a hot plate. Everyone should clearly realize that. Where should the aid in the third world go? And how? One can go on endlessly...talking about that. Humanitarian Working Group X wants to do more than talk. When millions of people die in an endless war, any talk sounds like hypocritical self-gratification. When millions of people are homeless and are driven from their villages by bombs, everyone who dares to call themselves human must actively help. That is why De Humanitaire Werkgroup X wants to help in Vietnam. The human need is greatest because of the endless war. The Humanitarian Working Group X wants to help all children there. What do we ask you, dear readers? We ask no more words, no petitions, no resolutions. We do not ask for moral support. We ask for metered help! To buy medicines with it. Medicines that save human lives! Medications that are sent directly from the port of Antwerp by ourselves. Medications that arrive before the last bottle! The Humanitarian Workgroup X has developed a program that leaves no one with an alibi to give! Help de ontwikkelingslanden van de derde wereld", vraagt men van alle kanten. En de man in de straat geeft 20 F eens per jaar. Een druppel op een hete plaat. Dat moet iedereen duidelijk beseffen / Waareen moet de hulp in de derde wereald gaan? En hoe? Daarover kan men eideloos blijven...…

Notes

Organised by the De Humanitaire Werkgroup X. Notes on the back called for sending medication "from the port of Antwerp" to "to help in Vietnam. The human need is greatest because of the endless war". Europ Records ER 3022 (BIEM), issued by the Humanitaire Werkgroep X v.z.w.d. of Antwerp: side A "Lied voor Vietnam" (music John Geentjens, text Gerd de Ley, sung by Geentjens with Jan Sebrechts at the piano); side B two poems by Günter Eich, "Denk eraan" and "Een jongetje uit Vietnam", recited by Jacques Schuurmans. Sleeve "Waarom?" with a photograph of a wounded Vietnamese child in a hospital cot; the back is the group's appeal — when millions die in an endless war, talk is hypocritical self-gratification; the group asks no more words, petitions or resolutions but material help to buy medicines, shipped directly from the port of Antwerp "down to the last bottle". This copy is signed. [From…

Themes

Anti-War

In collections

European Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]