My Soldier Boy Over There

Annotation

La'Shell & Shelletts (who also recorded under the name The Shelletts), offered their take on the soldier boy theme, with the song "My Soldier Boy Over There" (Eagle Records # E-102). It was also released on the Canadian label Power (# PN-1002), who took out a small advert in Billboard on 11 February 1967 promoting the single. A later edition, on 18 March, announced that "My Soldier Boy Over There...has been picked for broadcast by the US Armed Services Network". In the song the narrator promises to stay true to her loved one fighting the war. She recalls that fearful moment when "you were chosen by Uncle Sam" and the realisation "that it was Vietnam"[. The track was arranged by Richard Tee (who did the Tony Mason song "Take Good Care"), and it was co-written by E. McNeill & K. O'Brien.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: My soldier boy, oh how I miss you / My soldier boy, oh how I long for you / Oh my darling, I wish that you were here / My soldier boy, I know it's really rough over there / But when the fight is over I'll be waiting just for you / Oh my darling, I really love you so / Can't stand this anymore / My darling, when you were chosen by Uncle Sam / I know at that very moment that it was Vietnam / God in heaven knows whenever I think of you / I feel all alone, wondering what shall I do

Notes

Eagle Record Co. – Inc., 1697 Broadway, N.Y.C.; E-102 A (C-102 A); "My Soldier Boy Over There" (E. McNeill – K. O'Brien), Teashea BMI, time 2:42; arranged by Richard Tee; credited to La'Shell & Shelletts. Cream label with red eagle. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Soldier's Perspective · Draft

In collections

US Domestic Perspective Songs [War Years] · Draft Songs · Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs