Soldier of 'Nam

Annotation — Draft Songs

A double-sided Vietnam War single, released in Tabor City, North Carolina, USA. On the b-side, the song "Forgotten Lives - Forgotten Wives" (Sea Side Records # SSB-055/015) addressed the treatment of Vietnam veterans after the Paris Peace Accords. The narrated argued that society and the government ignored the veterans: "the vets of 'Nam seem to be forgotten by Uncle Sam". On the a-side, the track "Soldier of 'Nam" addressed the Vietnam syndrome - narrated in the first person, a man described being drafted to fight in Vietnam, and then returning to the US facing jeers. It referenced agent orange, and draft card burning. Composed by R. Stevens. Produced by Elson H. Stevens (owner of the record label). Publisher: Creekside Music. Performing Rights: BMI.Soldier of 'Nam (Callender, Mike) Reference to agent orange, draft card burning, the conditions in Vietnam. First person narration, drafted.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — P.O.W. / M.I.A. Songs

A double-sided Vietnam War single, released in Tabor City, North Carolina, USA. On the b-side, the song "Forgotten Lives - Forgotten Wives" (Sea Side Records # SSB-055/015) addressed the treatment of Vietnam veterans after the Paris Peace Accords. The narrated argued that society and the government ignored the veterans: "the vets of 'Nam seem to be forgotten by Uncle Sam". The narrated contrasted this to World War Two, recalling that when the soldier's returned, people "celebrated, the band played, the flags flew". The narrator turned his attention to the issue of those missing in Vietnam: "M.I.A.s, P.O.W.s...how can we just let this issue die when many wives and children sit at home and cry". On the a-side, the track "Soldier of 'Nam" addressed the Vietnam syndrome - narrated in the first person, a man described being drafted to fight in Vietnam, and then returning to the US facing jeers. It referenced agent orange. Composed by R. Stevens. Produced by Elson H. Stevens (owner of the record label). Publisher: Creekside Music. Performing Rights: BMI.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation

A double-sided Vietnam War single, released in Tabor City, North Carolina, USA. On the b-side, the song "Forgotten Lives - Forgotten Wives" (Sea Side Records # SSB-055/015) addressed the treatment of Vietnam veterans after the Paris Peace Accords. The narrated argued that society and the government ignored the veterans: "the vets of 'Nam seem to be forgotten by Uncle Sam". The narrated contrasted this to World War Two, recalling that when the soldier's returned, people "celebrated, the band played, the flags flew". The narrator turned his attention to the issue of those missing in Vietnam: "M.I.A.s, P.O.W.s...how can we just let this issue die when many wives and children sit at home and cry". On the a-side, the track "Soldier of 'Nam" addressed the Vietnam syndrome - narrated in the first person, a man described being drafted to fight in Vietnam, and then returning to the US facing jeers. It referenced agent orange. Composed by R. Stevens. Produced by Elson H. Stevens (owner of the record label). Publisher: Creekside Music. Performing Rights: BMI.Soldier of 'Nam (Callender, Mike) Reference to agent orange, draft card burning, the conditions in Vietnam. First person narration, drafted.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: In May of '67, I answered the call of my country / Trying to keep America free / My job was to fight an enemy that none could see / I want to tell you what went on so you can judge what was right and wrong / You see, I tried my hardest for Uncle Sam / Then I was sent to Vietnam / I saw my buddies falling down / All I could do was cry / You see, there was nothing I could do / Except try to get through / Man, I thought I was lucky to survive / Just come home alive / And it's really hard for me to understand what happened to the soldier of Vietnam / I crawled through mud in the jungles of Vietnam / Today I'm a victim of Agent Orange / Eggs were thrown and draft card burned / And jeers not cheers greeted me when I returned / You see, I love my country and feel I did my part / And now it breaks my heart to know that going to 'Nam was my fate / All I feel now is hate, you see we weren't to get the job done / So no welcome home son, and as a soldier of 'Nam, I now feel shame / When I know deep down I'm not to blame / Please, try to understand, I was drafted and sent to Vietnam / And believe me, I still feel love and pride / Because I was a soldier and have nothing to hide / And if I was called again I would surely go / And I'd do the job the best way I know / I'd be the first to admit I didn't always agree / I just followed orders so why blame me, American I love you

Notes

Sea Side Records SSB-055/015 (UR 2933), stereo, 45 RPM; ℗ 1981 Creekside Music, BMI; produced by E. Stevens; "Southern Sound Productions, 100 Labon St., Tabor City, N.C. 28463". "Soldier of 'Nam" (R. Stevens), 3:04; flip side "Forgotten Lives - Forgotten Wives" (R. Stevens), 2:36. Issued in a Sea Side company sleeve printed with the Southern Sound Productions address and telephone (919) 653-2546. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Creekside Music, BMI. Produced by E. Stevens

Themes

Draft · Soldier's Perspective · Agent Orange · Vietnam Syndrome

In collections

Draft Songs · P.O.W. / M.I.A. Songs