Calley's Cry

Annotation

The track "Calley's Cry" (Griffin Records # R13226) - unknown location or date, by the obscure country artist Pat Ryan. Narrated from the perspective of Calley, he defended his actions, believing that he fulfilled his role: "I only did a soldier's duty there". It went further. The narrator argued that he had "no choice, no way around it, I had to kill". The lyrics also took a pro-government line, with regards to the objectives of the war: "I only fought to keep us free" and "to fight in freedom's name".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: I'm just a poor and frightened soldier boy / You sent me to a strange strange land... / But I must wear the killers brand / You stripped me of my only honor... / Do what you will, god knows the truth of it / I only fought to keep us free / The only duty of a soldier boy... / Is to protect and save his country first / To keep it free and make it last / If I must die at the My Lai village / Here at home it is all the same / I only did a soldier's duty there... / There was no choice, no way around it / I had to kill...I gave all I had to give

Notes

Griffin Records, Side One, RI3226A, 45 RPM; "Calley's Cry" (Pat Ryan), 3:25, vocal, Pakar Music (BMI); produced and arranged by Pat Ryan. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

My Lai · Patriotic · Pro-Calley · Pro-Soldier

In collections

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