'Support the Troops' songs???

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:28 PM

Hey, "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning" is an ol', ol' hymn, Janie... I found it in an ol' 1800's hymnal a few years back and sent it to Jerry Rassmussen if my memory serves me...

Yeah, I've done that song over the years... It ain't as much a "lump-in-you-throater" patriotic song as a hymn but a darned good 'un... Darned good!!!

B!

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: oldhippie
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:11 PM

Along the lines of "Sam Stone", Larry Long recorded a song "Agent Orange (My Country Tis of Thee).

Ballad of Penny Evans

GI Loan & Coming of Age - Lt Bobby Ross - CD "Voice of America"

Ole Vietnam Vet - Dane Brown

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Janie
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:05 PM

I could see "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burnin" (Troubles and Trials) being a good one. Write a few verses for it about hope that the kids will soon be home.

Janie

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: GUEST,Bardan
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 07:41 PM

There's always that song that sometimes pisses off my Irish relatives. Can't remember the name of it but the chorus is

Come join the British army said the posters in his town
Come see the world, come have your fun come serve before the crown
The jobs were hard to come by and he could not face the dole
So he took his country's shilling and enlisted on the roll

It's about a soldier who really doesn't want to fight or serve in NI and in the end he gives up his life saving women and children who hate him from a bomb.

Probably quite a few parallels with the troops in Iraq. I don't doubt there are a few out there who doubt the morality of the war and are just trying to do their best to minimise the damage. Of course there are always the nutters who want to shoot civilians or torture people as well. I just think people tend to stereotype soldiers as brave heroes or brutal sadistic occupiers. They're individuals like anyone else- some good some bad.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 07:28 PM

Well, I was over at Tweeds and someone suggested that I write a song to go along with "Drummer Boy", which is a definate...

I've had the start to a song that did for BillD and Rita a few years ago and just found it and am going to spent this evening writing/rewriting around what I have...

The name of the song is "God's Will" and I'll share the 1st and last verses with you all... Might of fact, maybe this was song I tried to get fiolks to help me with awhile back but here's what I have:

"Well, I walked down to the preacher's house
Knockin' on the man's front door
Said, "Preacher, can you tell me
What'd Jesus die for?"
"Well, He died for your salvation
Up there on Calvary Hill"
I said, "Thank you there, good reverand."
He said "Son, it was just God's will...
...Just God's will."

(innnards)

Well I say to you in sheeep's clothing
Your debts will all be paid
When you try your lines on St. Peter
Standin' at the Pearly Gates
For Jesus said "Nothing is hidden
that one day won't be found
No secrets kept behind closed doors
taht won't be known around."
You'll be known by your deeds in time
Lives you've taken so very still
And you'll find your empty words won't cahnge
Your final judegement 'cause that's God's will
yeah, that's God's will

So it's a start... Maybe I can pull it off and maybe I can't... I can always do "When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home Again" if I don't and that, with a long version of "Drummer Boy" will get me thru my 15 minutes...

B~

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: David C. Carter
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 07:25 PM

John Prine's-Sam Stone.
About what can become of an individual having gone through that experience.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 07:11 PM

The Scottish Soldier.

The Soldier (Harvey Andrews).

We don't really want to fight (but by Jingo if we do).

The Green Beret.

Deck of Cards.

Two Little Boys.

The fighting men of the 303. (from a wonderful political satirical film)

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

My youngest Son.

Yankee Doodle.

Green Grow the Rushes Oh.

Colonel Bogie

With God on our side

Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: GUEST,Songster Bob
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 04:11 PM

I and the singer in the Civil War Comrades, the reenactment band I'm in, recently sent a kid off to West Point with "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" and "Johnny Comes Marching Home Again," both fine old songs that don't necessarily support military adventurism.

And what would be wrong with "This Land is Your Land?"


Bob

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 04:09 PM

Thankyou teribus. great to hear from you - after so long! I think you got a bit fed up after Divis split. No worthwhile opposition!

have you been in contact with him at all. he was actually a smashing bloke - despite all our differences, I really liked him.

I did have a plan (even went as far as getting a little campervan) to go and see all my mates over in Ireland, in situ as it were. But my wifes been so ill I haven't been able to leave her.

Take care mate and don't be such a stranger!

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Teribus
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 02:56 PM

Great song WLD

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Peace
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 02:03 PM

I think you would show support for the troops (and be able NOT to show support for the war they fight) by singing for the guys and gals.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 01:55 PM

Then there's "Mrs McGrath"

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: theleveller
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 01:20 PM

Could do worse than Tom Paxton's My Son John

My son, John, was a good boy, and good to me.
When we had hard times, well, he stood by me.
We were in work and out of work and on the go.
If he had complaints, I never heard of one.
He would pitch in and help me like a full grown man.
My son, John. John, my son.

My son, John, went to college and he made his way.
Had to earn every penny, but he paid his way.
He worked summers and holidays and through the year,
And it was no easy struggle that he won.
But he laughed at the ones who thought he had it hard.
My son, John. John, my son.

My son, John, got his uniform and went away.
With a band playing marches, he was sent away.
And he wrote me a letter, when he had the time.
He was loosing his buddies one by one.
And I prayed, and tried not to read between the lines.
My son, John. John, my son.

My son, John, came home yesterday; he's here to stay.
Not a word, to his father, have I heard him say.
He seems glad to be home, but I can't be sure.
When I ask him what he'd seen and done.
He went up to his bedroom, and he closed the door.
My son, John, John my son.
He went up to his bedroom, and he closed the door.
My son, John, John my son.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 01:00 PM

I'll Be Seeing You (In All the Cld Familar Places)

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: GUEST,Jim Carroll
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 03:29 AM

There's an old English song which was sometimes found among source singers entitled 'The Bush In The Garden at Home' - or is that too subtle?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 01:31 AM

"There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" (Elton Britt, I think) seems fairly popular around here when folks are in an old-timey patriotic mood.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: LeTenebreux
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:17 PM

How about "Send the Marines" by Tom Lehrer?

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:18 PM

Yeah, maeve... Got my head spinnin'...

B~

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: maeve
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:15 PM

I'd call this a great response to your post, Bobert. What thoughtful suggestions!

maeve

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: The Walrus
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:10 PM

Just a few suggestions:

From The Great War
"Long, Long Trail" - No real mention of war, but of a longing for the time of re-union (and strongly associated with the Great War)
"Keep Right On to the End of the Road"
"Last Long Mile"
"Keep the Home Fires Burning"

Fron the ACW
"When Johnny Comes Marching Home"

I don't know if these are of any use.

W

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Beer
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:08 PM

Should read "Richard Thompson".

Subject: Lyr Add: HOW WILL I EVER BE SIMPLE AGAIN (Thompson
From: Beer
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:07 PM

Thompson Richard - How Will I Ever Be Simple Again


Oh she danced in the street with the guns all around her
All torn like a rag doll, barefoot in the rain
And she sang like a child, toora-day toora-daddy
Oh how will I ever be simple again

She sat by the banks of the dirty grey river
And tried for a fish with a worm on a pin
There was nothing but fever and ghosts in the water
Oh how will I ever be simple again

War was my love and my friend and companion
And what did I care for the pretty and plain
But her smile was so clear and my heart was so troubled
Oh how will I ever be simple again

In her poor burned-out house I sat at her table
The smell of her hair was like cornfields in May
And I wanted to weep and my eyes ached from trying
Oh how will I ever be simple again

So graceful she moved through the dust and the ruin
And happy she was in her dances and games
Oh teach me to see with your innocent eyes, love
Oh how will I ever be simple again
Oh how will I ever be simple again

Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Beer
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:03 PM

And the Band Player Waltzing Matilda
Mother, Daughter, Wives
Jimmy Newman
There's A Wall in Washington
Bang The Drum Slowly
The Bismark
Where Have all The Flowers Gone
Buddy (My Buddy)
Dancing at Witsun
Vincent's Tears
Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream
1917
The Green Fields of France
Christmas in The trenches
Missing in Action

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:59 PM

Yo, oldhippie...

"Ask My Son" is a great song... I think I can do a nice job with it without offending the ol' vets in the audience...

Thanks,

Bobert (another old hippie...)

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: van lingle
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:42 PM

Then there's those old ditties "Pack up your Troubles in an Old Kit Bag" and "It's a Long Way to Tipperarie" (sp?) which make great sing alongs and are usually done together.
Ry Cooder did a cool version of "Wing and a Prayer" which was inspired by the great Joseph Spence take on it.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: oldhippie
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:22 PM

"Ask My Son" @ askmyson.com

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:19 PM

here's one of my songs
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/america/music/land_called_america.mp3

I have had quite a few letters of thanks from American men and women in the forces who have identified with this song - also from their parents and famililies. Some have written to me that they have downloaded it onto their i-pods and mp3 players.

This the website The Pentagon published it on, along with several others. If you don't care for my song perhaps you will like another one.
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/AmericaSupportsYou/america/musical.html

its not a popular cause. You won't get played on the radio singing these views, but I find the idealism of the young men out there incredibly moving.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: john f weldon
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:05 PM

There's always the WW One Songs in the old musical... "Oh It's a Lovely War". Hard to pick a favourite.
And I recently heard Mike Seeger sing a version of "Battleship the Maine" which included verses that had been added in various different wars.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: GUEST,qtwf
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:57 PM

Hiya,

Not sure that it's right, but I love the song. Coming in on a wing and a prayer.

Hope it goes well.

qtwf

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: peregrina
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:56 PM

Stan Graham's    Christmas Soldier

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: john f weldon
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:53 PM

That's a toughie... ...songs are rarely "Fair and Balanced".

Onward Christian Soldiers?
"Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder" has a certain ambiguity.

"Keep the Home Fires Burning" is quite pretty, and probably works for everyone.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: van lingle
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:51 PM

Pete Seeger's "Bring 'em Home". Should be in the database.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:51 PM

"Wake Up Jimmy Newman"?

Subject: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:38 PM

OKay, I've kinda talked about this on another thread but I have been asked to play 3 songs this Saturday night at a "Support the Troops" gathering at the local high school...

Well, the stuff that comes to mind are songs like "Masters of War" and "Vietnam Blues" but these are very much anti-war songs... Unfortunately I'm in the midst of some politics and they won't do... I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and find something that is somewhere between "Masters of War" and "I Love America"...

I have one obscure song that was writtwen by an obscure writer, Fred Dobbs, and recorded by an obscure band, Hearts Field" that Iused to do in the 70's entited "Drummer Boy" about a drummer boy from the War Between the States...

But I need 2 more and have 5 days to learn 'um if I don't allready know them...

Suggestions???

Bobert