Magic Rag Rag (Part I)

Annotation

The song Magic Rag Rag - The Lower Oisch Philharmonic (Krieger Records # 25196). Garage rock. Produced by Tom Kreiger. Written by Chuck Keith. Arranged by Ron Jarvis. About a boy growing up in Kansas, who loved the US and the flag. At the age of 19 he volunteered to go to the army, sent to Vietnam six weeks later. After one day, he was killed, and sent home in a box wrapped in the flag. Anti-war? Suggested that it was not worth it, criticism of flag worship, blind patriotism.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Garage Rock Songs

- The song Magic Rag Rag - The Lower Oisch Philharmonic (Krieger Records # 25196). - Garage rock. Produced by Tom Kreiger. Written by Chuck Keith. Arranged by Ron Jarvis. - About a boy growing up in Kansas, who loved the US and the flag. At the age of 19 he volunteered to go to the army, sent to Vietnam six weeks later. After one day, he was killed, and sent home in a box wrapped in the flag. Anti-war. Suggested that it was not worth it, criticism of flag worship, blind patriotism.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs

The song Magic Rag Rag - The Lower Oisch Philharmonic (Krieger Records # 25196). Garage rock. Produced by Tom Kreiger. Written by Chuck Keith. Arranged by Ron Jarvis. About a boy growing up in Kansas, who loved the US and the flag. At the age of 19 he volunteered to go to the army, sent to Vietnam six weeks later. After one day, he was killed, and sent home in a box wrapped in the flag. Anti-war Suggested that it was not worth it, criticism of flag worship, blind patriotism.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: When I was a young boy growing up in Kansas / My Uncle took me to the county fair / I had fun there, he introduced me to my life long companion / It was waving in the morning there at the fair / I pointed to a stand, 'Uncle what is that' / Afraid he wouldn't answer but the crowd began to sing in unison / Oh how I love you magic rag, your colours they will never fade... / Oh how I love you magic rag, I promise you you'll never touch the ground... / I was only four years old and the rag is such a wonderful thing / I could hardly wait until I was old enough to sing like Uncle Brad / I still remember my very first day at school, I saw it hanging there... / Then sixth grade graduation my loyalty was repaid / I was chosen to lead the class with the song with the chorus / I stood up on the stage / My young head filled with pride / My friends laughed at me but I still felt good... / I went through junior high and all the teachers loved me so / They said that I was the kind of boy they were proud to know / They taught me many new things about my star spangled friend / How it was it is the beginning, how it shall always be glory in the end... / On arrival in senior high our councillor gave a speech / He said there was no goal to high to reach / But he also warned us the danger just ahead / Mainly communist subversion...his speech influenced ever member of the crowd... / At the age of nineteen I decided just what to do / I walked down to the recruitment man / Said I'm the boy…

Notes

Krieger Records 25196, 45 R.P.M., blue and silver label; "Magic Rag Rag (Part 1)", time 2:51, and "Magic Rag Rag (Part II)", time 2:17, both (Chuck Keith), arranged by Ron Jarvis, "Produced by Tom Krieger"; The Lower Oisch Philharmonic. A handwritten sticker on the Part 1 label reads "DJ copy" and gives the publisher as The Blind Owl Entertainment Co., BMI, 5353 Route #1, Peninsula, Ohio 44264. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Draft · Patriotic · Anti-War · Napalm

In collections

Draft Songs · Garage Rock Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]