To the Boys in Vietnam
1967 · AFS W4KM 0061 · Australia
- Artist
- George Hill
- Title
- To the Boys in Vietnam
- Release
- To the Boys in Vietnam / Our Boys Are Over There
- Year
- 1967
- Label
- AFS # W4KM 0061
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- Australia
- Songwriter
- G. Hill
- Genre
- Country · Country
- Primary theme
- US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs
Annotation
Two country patriotic songs, released by Australian Forces Songs (# W4KM 0061), by George Hill, alongside the Garry Maiden Trio, and Don Lewers.. Not much is known about this artist at the moment. There is a reference to a "George Hill" on the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, referred to as a "blind Indigenous musician" who also lost a hand in a childhood accident - this would seem to be a different George Hill. (1) The November 1969 edition of the Rotarian provided more information about this record, saying that it raised funds, nearly $7,000, to help send artists to perform for the troops in Vietnam. It refered to George Hill as a popular Australian comedian and country singer: The song "To the Boys in Vietnam" was about an Australian entertainment group performing to Australian (and American) troops in Vietnam: "it was good to hear the Aussie slang all the time we roamed". It took a patriotic, pro-government perspective, suggesting that Australia's involvement in Vietnam was keeping their country free: "the spirit of our fighting cause will keep all Aussie free".
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Annotation — Australian & New Zealand Songs
Two country patriotic songs, released by Australian Forces Songs (# W4KM 0061), by George Hill, alongside the Garry Maiden Trio, and Don Lewers. Not much is known about this artist at the moment. There is a reference to a "George Hill" on the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, referred to as a "blind Indigenous musician" who also lost a hand in a childhood accident - this would seem to be a different George Hill. (1) The November 1969 edition of the Rotarian provided more information about this record, saying that it raised funds, nearly $7,000, to help send artists to perform for the troops in Vietnam. It refered to George Hill as a popular Australian comedian and country singer: The song "To the Boys in Vietnam" was about an Australian entertainment group performing to Australian (and American) troops in Vietnam: "it was good to hear the Aussie slang all the time we roamed". It took a patriotic, pro-government perspective, suggesting that Australia's involvement in Vietnam was keeping their country free: "the spirit of our fighting cause will keep all Aussie free".
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
Australian singer-songwriter; wrote and recorded 'To The Boys In Vietnam' b/w 'Our Boys Are Over There' with the Garry Maiden Trio and steel guitarist Don Lewers, released on the Australian Forces Songs label (Australia, 1960s, undated). No further biographical details documented. [Source: Discogs]
Themes
In collections
Australian & New Zealand Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs