Proud American

Annotation

Shortly after the above, Gober signed a recording contract with ABC-Paramount. The back of the record introduced Gober, describing him as a "singing, songwriting GI in Vietnam...serving as advisor to Vietnamese militia forces in the Delta...The songs were written by Lt. Gober and taped in Saigon" - thus, this fitted into the "In Country" category. It also said that having been initially stationed in Germany, Gober requested a transfer to Vietnam, arriving there in 1965.1 On this record he goes by the title "1st Lieutenant". The contemporary folk song "Proud American" (ABC-Paramount # 45-10810) took a patriotic perspective, supporting the war and the fight for freedom: the "soldier, sailor, airman or marine...keeps America free". He also criticised the demonstrators back home, making a reference to previous wars (presumably World War Two): "now if you carry a placard...remember...someone died to give you that right".Sources1Proud American (Hershel Gober) (PS) (2)↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: He may be a soldier, sailor, airman or marine / Doesn't matter what uniform he wears / He keeps America free and he's proud to be an American / A part of the USA, ready to fight, ready to die, to keep America free / Most of us didn't volunteer to fight this battle over here / Ten thousand miles away from our home sometimes / We feel all alone, I see my comrades fall, killed by the enemy / It brings tears to my eyes, I know must fight to be free... / Now if you carry a placard, and you believe your cause is right / Remember when you were only a child, someone died to give you that right When I see the sun slowly sinking away / How lonesome, how blue am I? / I need you so... / And when I see the ripples on a stormy sea / Each ripple tells a story that's only known to me / There lost, there lonesome, and there wondering always / And when I hear the ripple...I wish that I had wings / So that I could fly, I'd fly to you my love, and we'd never part... / When I return we'll be together and we won't ever have to part

Notes

ABC-Paramount 45-10810, white label marked "Promotion Copy – Not for Sale"; "I Need You So" (1st Lt. Hershel Gober), Pamco Music, BMI, 2:59, side AMP 45-13234, and "Proud American" (1st Lt. Hershel Gober), Pamco Music, BMI, 2:35, side AMP 45-13233; both credited to 1st Lt. Hershel Gober, arranged and conducted by Peter DeAngelis, produced by Bob Thiele. The picture sleeve (ABC Records 10810) shows "Lieutenant Hershel Gober" in fatigues sitting on the grass playing an electric guitar, with a rifle beside him. The reverse is printed as an ABC-Paramount "Press Release – For Immediate Release": Gober, "a singing, songwriting G I in Viet Nam" serving as advisor to Vietnamese militia forces in the Delta, came to the attention of ABC-TV newsmen; the songs were written by him and taped in Saigon. It adds that he is a native of Monticello, Arkansas, joined the U.S. Marines in 1956 and the U.S.…

About the artist

Born 21 December 1936, Monticello, Arkansas, USA. Recorded rockabilly in the late 1950s-early 1960s as Hershel Almond; as an Army officer in Vietnam wrote and recorded war songs including the LP Proud American, performing for President Johnson in Vietnam in 1966 as the 'Singing Soldier'. Later Deputy Secretary and twice acting Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Died 15 October 2024. [Source: Wikipedia; Miller Center; Encyclopedia of Arkansas]

Themes

Patriotic · Military · In Country · Draft · Demonstration

In collections

Draft Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years] · US Military & Veteran Songs