Uncle Sam Blues
1962 · Prestige Bluesville BVLP 1048 · New York City, New York
- Artist
- Memphis Willie B.
- Title
- Uncle Sam Blues
- Release
- Hard Working Man Blues
- Year
- 1962
- Label
- Prestige Bluesville # BVLP 1048
- Format
- LP · Album
- Language
- English
- Country
- New York City, New York, USA
- Songwriter
- Willie Borum
- Genre
- Blues · Country Blues
- Primary theme
- Home Front Perspective / Soldier's Perspective
Annotation
Acoustic Blues artist, born on 4 November 1911 in Shelby County, Tennessee, USA, he died on 5 October 1993 in Memphis, Tennessee. He released the early Vietnam War-era draft song, "Uncle Sam Blues" (Bluesville Records #1048), in which the narrator explained to his daughter that "Uncle Sam's havin' trouble overseas". He continues that "the doctor done okayed me...I got to check with my local board". Released in 1962, it was probably a little early to be specifically about Vietnam, but an interesting reflection of the contemporary prospect of being drafted to war and the impact on home life.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Lyrics
English: You know, I've got bad news for you, little girl, I'm gonna tell you what it's all about / You know, I've got bad news for you, little girl, Lord, and I'm gonna tell you what it's all about / You know, Uncle Sam's havin' trouble overseas, and Lord, they want me to help him out / The doctor done okayed me, Lord, and I'm glad there was nothin' wrong / The doctor done okayed me, little girl, I'm glad there wasn't nothin' wrong / But only thing I hate, I got to leave you here alone / I'm gonna get up early in the mornin', Lord, I got to check with my local Board / I got to get up early in the mornin', I got to check with my local Board / Lord, I'm so sorry, but, little girl, I got to go / Hold out, baby, maybe I'll be back someday / Hold out, baby, maybe I'll be back someday / Lord, don't let nobody drive my little girl astray / I know you hear that train wistle blowin', callin' little Willie, I know / Hear that train whistle blowin', callin' little Willie, I know / Baby, you know how it is, you know, I'm booked out and I'm bound to go / So now, bye-bye, little girl, don't forget to write / So bye-bye, little girl, don't forget to write / Lord, I be thinkin' of you, each, both dayr and night
About the artist
Born 4 November 1911, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA. Died 5 October 1993
Themes
In collections
Blues songs · Draft Songs · US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]