I Salute You Sir

Annotation

Released in Dry Branch, Georgia, the country song "I Salute You Sir" (Mark I Records # 45-110) by Larry Williams, supported Calley and expressed patriotic sentiment. It praised his efforts in the war zone, describing him as "an American fighting man", who had "defended this great land of ours", and therefore he saluted him. It did not mention the massacre or the Vietnamese killed, just that "Vietnam, a place next to hell", was where "American boys have...died" - which emphasized the argument that the US soldier faced a threat and that they needed to protect themselves.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: I salute you sir, I'll do the best I can / These were the words of an American fighting man / William Calley he fought for this land... / After the trial was over, after they led him away after defended this great land of ours / William Calley, they say you must pay / I salute you sir, I'll do the best I can / Yes Vietnam, a place next to hell / Were American boys have fought and died

Notes

Mark I Records, Dry Branch, Ga., 45-110 (matrix 1455-45-110 A), blue label; "I Salute You Sir" (L. Williams-L. Tynes), 2:17, Jupace Music (BMI). [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

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

In collections

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