Tribute in Prayer (From a Soldier in Viet Nam)

Annotation

In 1966, gospel singer Rev. Oris Mays released the song "A Tribute in Prayer (From a Soldier in Viet Nam)" (Songbird Records # 1064) which sent out a patriotic prayer to US troops in Vietnam. Two years later, in 1970, Mays' view on the war changed, with the release of the track "Another Christmas Without My Son" which attacked government policy in Vietnam. It is unknown if Mays actually did lose his son in Vietnam, and if that led to him changing his view on the war. Mays, born in Lambert, Mississippi, 1935, moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he worked at the Boston Street Baptist Church. In Memphis he fronted the first African-American TV gospel program. He died in Memphis on 21 April 1996.Also featured in: • Vietnam War: Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs

In 1966, gospel singer Rev. Oris Mays released the song "A Tribute in Prayer (From a Soldier in Viet Nam)" (Songbird Records # 1064) which sent out a patriotic prayer to US troops in Vietnam. Two years later, in 1970, Mays' view on the war changed, with the release of the track "Another Christmas Without My Son" which attacked government policy in Vietnam. It is unknown if Mays actually did lose his son in Vietnam, and if that led to him changing his view on the war. Mays, born in Lambert, Mississippi, 1935, moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he worked at the Boston Street Baptist Church. In Memphis he fronted the first African-American TV gospel program. He died in Memphis on 21 April 1996.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs

In 1966, gospel singer Rev. Oris Mays released the song "A Tribute in Prayer (From a Soldier in Viet Nam)" (Songbird Records # 1064) which sent out a patriotic prayer to US troops in Vietnam. Two years later, in 1970, Mays' view on the war changed, with the release of the track "Another Christmas Without My Son" which attacked government policy in Vietnam. It is unknown if Mays actually did lose his son in Vietnam, and if that led to him changing his view on the war. Mays, born in Lambert, Mississippi, 1935, moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he worked at the Boston Street Baptist Church. In Memphis he fronted the first African-American TV gospel program. He died in Memphis on 21 April 1996..

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: We would like to pay tribute and respect to the boys in Vietnam / While we are relaxing here in America / They are paying the supreme sacrifice / That we may be free / Lord, please don't let our fighting be in vain / Please Jesus, we need you over here

Notes

Song Bird 1064 (UV 11130), pink label with feather emblem, "World's Greatest Spirituals - Division of Peacock Records"; "Tribute in Prayer (From a Soldier in Viet Nam)" (O. Mays), Lion Publishing Company, Inc., BMI, 2:25. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Rev. Oris Lee Mays (7 April 1935, Lambert, Mississippi - 21 April 1996) was a Memphis gospel singer, songwriter and Baptist minister - pastor of Boston Baptist Church in Memphis from 1960 until his death. Educated at Melrose High School (Memphis), the J. L. Campbell School of Religion and Brewster Seminary, he recorded for Song Bird Records (Don Robey's Peacock-affiliated label) from the mid-1960s, for Jewel Records (1965-1982), Creed/Nashboro, Atlanta International (1985) and Miracle Records, often featuring his church choir 'The Bostonians.' He also produced gospel sides for The Johnson…

Themes

Patriotic

In collections

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