Greeting:

Here are two songs. This first one connects generations from Vietnam and Iraq. I just recorded it last month and it will be on my next CD, due out this fall.

THE BLIND VETERAN
Tune: The Blind Fiddler (traditional)
New words by Steve Suffet ©2008

I lost my eyes in Vietnam,
In nineteen sixty-six,
While in the Mekong Delta,
We'd gone about two clicks,
When Charlie lobbed a mortar round,
And there it sealed my doom.
I am a blind veteran,
Pennsylvania is my home.

I've been to the V.A. hospital,
Time and time again,
They operated on both my eyes,
But nothing could they gain.
They awarded me a Purple Heart,
Then left me on my own.
I am a blind veteran,
Pennsylvania is my home.

I had a son and daughter,
Depending then on me,
I did my best to raise them,
With eyes that could not see.
I did my best to teach them well,
'Til they had kids of their own,
I wish I could see my family,
When they visit me at home.

Uncle Sam and Charlie,
Are buddies nowadays.
With runaway garment factories,
That pay a starvation wage.
I may not have my eyesight,
But I can plainly see,
What that war was all about,
And the lies they told to me.

When I listen to the radio,
It's happening once again.
There may be times for fighting,
But this isn't one of them.
May God protect my grandchildren,
'Til safely they come home,
I am a blind veteran,
Pennsylvania is my home.


I also recorded this next song, but just for archival purposes. I am not planning to release it on CD.

HOME
Tune: Shul Aroon (Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier) (traditional)
New words by Steve Suffet, Joel Landy, and Anne Price © 2008

Start on chorus:
Home, home, bring our soldiers home.
When you stand for peace, you never stand alone.
Home, home, bring our soldiers home.
Let's bring our soldiers home,
From the army.

We shall not sit with tear drops in our eyes,
We shall not listen to their vicious lies,
We shall stand for peace, and we shall organize,
To bring our soldiers home,
From the army. [Repeat chorus]

We shall not bathe ourselves in bitter tears,
We shall not lose ourselves in darkest fears,
We shall stand up proud and fight the profiteers,
Let's bring our soldiers home,
From the army. [Repeat chorus]

We shall not lose when we are all as one,
And say forever that the war is done,
We shall save our every daughter and save our every son,
Let's bring our soldiers home,
From the army. [Repeat chorus]


Sing them as you please, but if you would like to record them, please contact me by e-mail for a mechanical license.

--- Steve