The War Is Over

Annotation

Contemporary folk artist Michael James Brody, born 1948 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He died 26 January 1973, in Shokan, New York, USA. He released the anti-Vietnam war song "The War Is Over" (RCA Victor # 74-0309) which referenced Richard Nixon, criticising him for ignoring the protesters and prolonging the war. It also noted a protester being killed: "let your secret service kill me if that's what you want", which may be a small reference to the those killed at Kent / Jackson State, see the list: . Additionally, the narrator said that the had been to D.C. in protest, possible a reference to the well-known Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam, a massive demonstration across the US on 15 October 1969, followed up by a march on Washington on 15 November 1969.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Kent / Jackson State Songs

Contemporary folk artist Michael James Brody, born 1948 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He died 26 January 1973, in Shokan, New York, USA. He released the anti-Vietnam war song "The War Is Over" (RCA Victor # 74-0309) which referenced Richard Nixon, criticising him for ignoring the protesters and prolonging the war. It also noted a protester being killed: "let your secret service kill me if that's what you want", which may be a small reference to the those killed at Kent / Jackson State. Additionally, the narrator said that the had been to D.C. in protest, possible a reference to the well-known Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam, a massive demonstration across the US on 15 October 1969, followed up by a march on Washington on 15 November 1969.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: I met you on the battlefields, saw you in Vietnam / Lost in Nam, she was young and free then / I was searching for freedom / President Nixon if you had seen me in Washington D.C. last week we could have ended it all / I'm really not freak, I'm just trying to do my thing / And end the war in Vietnam / I've no bitterness against you for locking my friends away too / Let your secret service kill me if that's what you want / Makes no difference, I'll be reborn

Notes

RCA Victor 74-0309 (ZPKS-5304), stereo, orange label; "The War Is Over" (Michael J. Brody, Jr.), 2:34, Dunbar Music Inc., BMI; made in U.S.A. RCA company sleeve with rainbow-and-clouds design, © 1971 RCA Records. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Michael James Brody Jr. (born 31 October 1948; died 26 January 1973, aged 24, by suicide) was an American heir to the Jelke oleomargarine fortune who in January 1970, aged 21 and newly returned from his honeymoon, announced that he would give away his inheritance - variously reported as $25 million - to anyone in need who asked for it; the announcement made him a national news story, drew an avalanche of letters, and brought him television appearances including a spot on The Ed Sullivan Show singing a Bob Dylan song, before the scheme collapsed within a week as his cheques bounced and he was…

Themes

Anti-War

In collections

Kent / Jackson State Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]