Lyr Add: Forgotten Soldier Boy (Monroes Brothers)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE FORGOTTEN SOLDIER BOY (Bert Layne)^^
From: Peter T.
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 10:05 AM

Somebody asked about whether there were any serious bluegrass songs. This is very early, from the Monroe Brothers, Charlie and Bill, 1936. I am not sure it is available anywhere at the moment. It was on a old (great) vinyl collection, Country Music South and West from New World Records.

THE FORGOTTEN SOLDIER BOY
(Bert Layne)
recorded by the Monroe Brothers, October 12, 1936
on Bluebird B-6829


I'm just a poor ex-soldier that's broken down and blue,
Fought out in the Great War for the old red, white, and blue.
I left my parents and my girl I loved, to France did go
And fought out on the battlefield through hunger, sleet, and snow.

I saw my buddies dying, and some shellshocked and torn
Although we never faltered at the battle of Amarne
And we were told when we left home we'd be heroes of the land,
So we came back and found no one would lend a helping hand.

They promised gold and silver, and bid us all adieu.
They said they'd welcome us back home when the terrible war was through.
We fought until the war was o'er, they said we'd won the fight,
But we have no job or money, no place to sleep at night.

They called us wandering boys bums, asking for shelter and bread
Although we fought in no man's land and a-many poor boy is dead.
So listen to my story and lend a helping hand
To the poor forgotten soldier boy who fought to save our land.
^^

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: Forgotten Soldier Boy (Monroes)
From: Dale Rose
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 10:49 AM

Can't add anything about the song at the moment, but some might be interested in knowing that Bert Layne was a fiddler with the Skillet Lickers and other North Georgia fiddle bands in the 20s and 30s. There is a picture of Bert Layne taken in the late 70s on Kerry Blech's site. It's easy to find. He's the first person on the left in the very first picture.

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: Forgotten Soldier Boy (Monroes)
From: Peter T.
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 02:42 PM

Wow!
Yours, Peter T.