Hang On Bill

Annotation

Rick Riddle, born Arvin Doyle Riddle in Rector, Arkansas, on 20 August 1920, built a career in western and country music in Detroit following the Second World War, during which he served with the US navy aboard the U.S.S. Adair in the Pacific Theatre.12 In 1971 he released the song "Hang on Bill" (Dixie Records # DR 107) which criticised the politicians for fighting a war which "we'll never win" - thus containing a degree of anti-war sentiment. He warned that one day these leaders will have to "stand before god". Riddle promised to fight the battle against "the enemy...cowards walking free in our land", and pleaded with Calley to hang on while the campaign to set him free was in swing - so also containing patriotic sentiment towards the soldier.Sources1dannyriddle.com: Ricky Riddle (archived copy)↩2carcitycountry.com: The mysterious ricky riddle↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs

Rick Riddle, born Arvin Doyle Riddle in Rector, Arkansas, on 20 August 1920, built a career in western and country music in Detroit following the Second World War, during which he served with the US navy aboard the U.S.S. Adair in the Pacific Theatre.12 In 1971 he released the song "Hang on Bill" (Dixie Records # DR 107) which criticised the politicians for fighting a war which "we'll never win". He warned that one day these leaders will have to "stand before god". Riddle promised to fight the battle against "the enemy...cowards walking free in our land", and pleaded with Calley to hang on while the campaign to set him free was in swing. Sources1dannyriddle.com: Ricky Riddle (archived copy)↩2carcitycountry.com: The mysterious ricky riddle↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Just hang on William Calley / Yes your defence was too weak / You say you followed orders then they sold you down the creek / Though we were rooting for you, we couldn't help you none / Now we've just begun to fight... / Just hang on Bill, we are trying son, to help you Bill / It seems the mighty leaders are walking hand in hand / The enemy are cowards walking free in our land / Some times we sit and wonder how this could ever be / And wonder how much longer our nation will be free... / They send our young boys off to war, it seems we'll never win / Four years we've been in conflict just killing precious men / Someday these mighty leaders will stand before god

Notes

Arvin Doyle Riddle [birth name] Dixie Records DR #107; "Hang On Bill (A Tribute to Lt. Wm. Calley)" (Rick Riddle), time 2:10, Fred Henley Music, BMI, and Vogue Music, Inc., BMI; Rick Riddle. [From the record sleeve and labels] Dixie Records, P.O. Box 115, Madison, Tennessee. [From the Rate Your Music label page]

About the artist

Born 22 August 1920, Rector, Arkansas, USA. Died 8 August 1988

Themes

Patriotic · My Lai · Pro-Calley · Anti-War · Calley-Order · Calley-Justice · Religion · Anti-Government · Calley-Scapegoat · Pro-Soldier

In collections

My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years] · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]