Songs for Hugh Thompson
1998 · Liberation · USA
- Artist
- David Rovics
- Title
- Songs for Hugh Thompson
- Release
- We Just Want the World
- Year
- 1998
- Label
- Liberation
- Format
- CD · Album
- Language
- English
- Country
- USA
- Genre
- Country · Country Pop
- Primary theme
- Post-War
Annotation
David Rovics, a contemporary folk singer born in 1967, in New York, is currently based in Portland, Oregon. He has written and recorded dozens of songs on various wars, such as Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Arab-Israeli dispute, and on other political, social, and environmental issues. (1) On this album, self-released, featured the track "Song for Hugh Thompson", which paid tribute to Hugh Thompson Jr. - a US army helicopter pilot, who tried to stop the My Lai massacre, reported the incident over the radio, and later to his superiors. He received the Soldier's Medal in 1998. (2) The lyrics told a version of his story, in the third person. It set the scene, with Thompson in Vietnam "fighting for old glory on a far off foreign shore", just like many other soldiers. He then came across the unlawful killing of civilians, and Thompson "decided at that moment to fight for what was right". In doing so, he "served his country well" and "saved the lives of a dozen kids".
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
American protest folk singer-songwriter (born 1967), prolific writer of topical political songs including several on the Vietnam War's legacy. Based in Portland, Oregon. [Source: Wikipedia; artist website]