Rachel

Annotation

Russell Morris, singer/songwriter, born on 31 July 1948 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, from the band Somebody's Image, played the anti-war song "Rachel" (Columbia (EMI) # DO-9102), written by British artist Raymond Froggatt (member of The Monopoly). Although it is unknown whether Froggatt wrote the song specifically about Vietnam, it was released by Morris during Australia's involvement in South East Asia and thus interpreted as Vietnam-related. It contained anti-war sentiment, presenting the horrors of war: "men here die like flies... soldiers lie on the floor".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Gather round on ma's knee / To read this weeks letter / I wonder what will be / We hope the news is better / The men here die like flies ma / I bandaged their blinded eyes ma / And the kids with their aching feet / Ain't got nothing to eat ma / The hospital has no door dad / Soldiers lie on the floor dad / Oh I did my best / But I cant take anymore dad / Rachel's coming home / Rachel's coming home / Oh and I don't think she'll go away a gain / Rachel's seen the light / World too big to fight / And I don't think she'll go away again / My dear family / The world and people in it / Go the way they will / But there is not a man / Black or White / Who can never hope / To stop them

About the artist

born on 31 July 1948 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, from the band Somebody's Imag

Themes

Anti-War · ANZUS · Combat

In collections

Australian & New Zealand Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]