That Man of Mine

Annotation

Barbara Stant, a soul and gospel singer from Norfolk, Virginia recorded a bunch of 45s in the 1960s/70s on the local label Shiptown, founded by Noah Biggs. In the song "That Man of Mine" (Shiptown # 203275), the narrator told of her husband who went to fight in Vietnam but "on Hamburger he died" - a reference to 'The Battle of Hamburger Hill', that took place in May 1969 between the US / South Vietnamese forces against the North Vietnamese. 72 Americans were killed in action (KIA), and 372 wounded in action (WIA). The US claimed 630 North Vietnamese died.1 A film was made about this battle in 1987 - Hamburger Hill. The theme of this song is very similar to the well-known 1970 single "I Should Be Proud" by Martha and The Vandellas - in that song, the narrator received a telegram that her husband died in Vietnam. The military "shipped him home with medals of honor" - but the wife could not feel pride at the loss of her husband. This track took a different perspective. The wife received the Purple Heart, the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the flag. She declared that "I accept them because he deserved it" and that "I was so proud". However - it did contain a Civil Rights protest message. It said that the soldier "fought for equal rights, but still he was summoned to...fight" for his country.Sources1The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War (Spencer C. Tucker, 2011)↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: To you I present these medals, they are for your husband who gave is life far beyond the call of duty / Do you have any words you'd like to say / Yes I do: As I was so proud and his lips were so sweet and the words of a love that it spoke, I just can't repeat / He was so gentle and so kind / Although I accept these medals I would rather have him, that man of mine / He was up against poverty and fought for equal rights / But still he was summoned to...fight... / On Hamburger he died / Although I accept these medals, I would rather have him, that man of mine / Being the type of man that he was I know that he would not want me to stand here and express my love for him to the whole world / I know someone out there knows exactly how I feel... / I'd like to be thankful for this purple heart / This flag and this Congressional medal of honour / I accept them because he deserved it

Notes

Shiptown 203,275, 45 RPM, orange label with ship's-wheel design; "That Man of Mine" (Jessie Jones), 2:59, publishing NimBig, BMI; Barbara Stant; A. & R. Wilson Williams and Amos Hunter, producer Noah Biggs; "Recorded at Brockington & Guess Studio, Norfolk, Va." [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Norfolk, Virginia soul singer (real name Barbara Holmes) who began in the Idets, Shiptown Records' house backing group, before owner Noah Biggs made her a featured artist; 'That Man of Mine' (Shiptown, 1972) later titled the Soulscape CD 'That Man of Mine: Raw Soul From Norfolk, Virginia' (2011), and Time Out New York billed her as a Virginia soul singer on her 2012 return to the stage. [Source: Discogs; Time Out New York]

Themes

Draft · Soldier's Perspective · Purple Heart · Medals · Civil Rights

In collections

Civil Rights Songs · Draft Songs · Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]