Major Todd (Of the Green Beret)

Annotation

Major Todd (Of the Green Berets) & Special Forces (King, Ray) (Ambassador Records # 210). Same songs as Lonesome Valley Singers. Released on same group of record labels. Ray King most probably a member of that group. Patriotic, expressed loyalty to soldiers and support for government argument that they were protecting the US - domino theory - "fought...to protect the shores of the USA". Major Todd "Major Todd, Major Todd of the Green Berets Special Forces "The Special Forces, the Special Forces They're called the Special Forces by name

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs

Major Todd (Of the Green Berets) & Special Forces (King, Ray) (Ambassador Records # 210). Same songs as Lonesome Valley Singers. Released on same group of record labels. Ray King most probably a member of that group. Patriotic, expressed loyalty to soldiers and support for government argument that they were protecting the US - domino theory - "fought...to protect the shores of the USA". Major Todd Special Forces

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Major Todd, Major Todd of the Green Berets / There's an officer I knew in Vietnam who wasn't scarred of any man / Before each battle he'd stand and say remember you're a Green Beret / We jumped one day into enemy land, and they were on us when we hit the sand / Bullets ring death from the snipers tree and Major Todd was next me... / We were sitting ducks and we couldn't stay, a heavy price we'd have to pay / Major Todd lying on his back shouted loud and clear, the word 'attack'... / The Green Beret began to move, their code of honour they had to prove / Major Todd was setting the pace, a look of defiance on his face / A motor round fell near our squad and brought down the defiant Major Todd / On lying there bleeding we could here him say 'carry on men, you're a Green Beret / We won the battle, the station secured, by that time all in the company had heard / How Major Todd had given his life that day in a fearless attack by the Green Beret / Now I don't know if God thought to build a place for men who fought / And gave their lives in a special way to protect the shores of the USA / But if he has a place like that I know it's full of little green hats / And the men who wear them are men of God, like our own Green Beret / The Special Forces, the Special Forces / They're called the Special Forces by name / There's a brand of men in our fighting core / Men who have won world wide fame / And this brand of men who protect our shore / Are called the Special Forces by name /…

Notes

Ambassador 210, pink label, 45 RPM; "Major Todd (of the green Beret)" (Ron Page), 210-A, and "Special Forces" (Ron Page), 210-B, both Kasen Music (BMI); Ray King; "Dist. by Ambassador Record Corp., Newark, N.J." [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Patriotic

In collections

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