The Ballad of Lt. William Calley

Annotation

Gene Marshall (aka Gene Merlino & John Muir), born in San Francisco, California (and based in Hollywood), recorded over 10,000 song-poems - song lyrics, sent to specialist publishing and recoding companies, usually in response to an advertisement, that have been set to music for a fee (around $200-400).1 Hundreds of them dealt with political issues, including the Vietnam War. The song "The Ballad of Lt. William Calley" (Preview Records # 1952) defended Calley and argued for a presidential pardon: "you deserve a pardon Lt. Calley". Strangely, the lyrics also declared Calley to be fit for presidential office: "Calley would have been a splendid president". Once again, this was a Calley song that did not make a political statement about the Vietnam War, although this song does have the feel of blind patriotism, backing the soldier no-matter-what. Marshall also released the records "The Story of William Calley" (Preview # 2139) and "The Battle of Mai Lai" (Preview # 2182).Sources1Song Poem Music↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs

- Song poem, traditional pop - Hollywood, California - Same title as above, but different lyrics

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Song Poems

The song "The Ballad of Lt. William Calley" (Preview Records # 1952) defended Calley and argued for a presidential pardon: "you deserve a pardon Lt. Calley". Strangely, the lyrics also declared Calley to be fit for presidential office: "Calley would have been a splendid president". Once again, this was a Calley song that did not make a political statement about the Vietnam War, although this song does have the feel of blind patriotism, backing the soldier no-matter-what. Marshall also released the records "The Story of William Calley" (Preview # 2139) and "The Battle of Mai Lai" (Preview # 2182). Composed by John Montague.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Come all kind of folks to hear the Ballad of Lt. William Calley.... / It's an unjust verdict for Lt. William Calley... / Listen to the ballad of Lt. William Calley / The trial took four months of time / The court did not believe his testimony wasn't true / We all know he is not guilty of the crime / Lt. Calley would have been a splendid president / For the wheels of justice sometimes run slow / Your good friends everywhere say you are innocent / You deserve a pardon Lt. Calley... / Onward Calley marching bravely onto war

Notes

Preview Records, 6311 Yucca, Hollywood, blue and silver label; 1907-1 "The Ballad of Lt. William Calley" (John Montague), 2:00; flip 1907-2 "America Is My Country" (John Montague), 2:31; both Arthur Music A.S.C.A.P. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Born San Francisco, California, USA

Themes

Patriotic · My Lai · Pro-Calley · Calley-Justice · Nixon · Song Poem · Pro-Soldier

In collections

My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs · Song Poems · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]