A Soldier in Vietnam

Annotation

The track "Soldier in Vietnam" (Blake Records # 2-250) looked at the soldier's perspective. Sung by John & Margie Cook, whom founded the label Blake Records in Memphis, Tennessee, they also released several Vietnam War singles: "From Memphis to Vietnam", "Oh God, Please Bring My Daddy Back", and "Eight Miles From Home". In the chorus, the soldier described the war as a nightmare, and then complained that "it seems there is no end, all we get is promises" - which may be interpreted as a criticism of the government or military command. Meanwhile, the soldier frequently thought of home, which distracted him from the fighting.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Oh this war is just a nightmare and it seems there is no end / All we get is promises that we're going to win / Give us something more to hope, so that they can carry on / Our hearts are not in Vietnam, but with our folks at home / Here I stood and looked across a dying field of rice / People say in the aftermath of war, it effects you... / He held a picture of his wife so everyone could see / As he stood there in Vietnam with ? Tennessee / All we need is common sense that we are going to win / Our heart are not in Vietnam, but with our folks at home / He thinks about the jungle trail as he tries to stay alert / But the thought of home keeps creeping in, as he tries to hide his nerve / He came here as a humble kid / He will leave here as a man, the war is just a nightmare

Notes

Blake Records 2-250 (PRP-33021), brown and yellow label; "A Soldier in Vietnam" (M. L. Tate, Sr.), John Cook Music – BMI, time 2:50; "Produced by John Cook, 3291 Park Ave., Memphis, Tenn." [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

John Cook born Cord, Arkansas, USA. Margie Cook born Melbourne, Arkansas, USA.

Themes

Soldier's Perspective

In collections

US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]