'Support the Troops' songs???

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

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

"Wake Up Jimmy Newman"?

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: 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: peregrina
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:56 PM

Stan Graham's    Christmas Soldier

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: 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: 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: oldhippie
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:22 PM

"Ask My Son" @ askmyson.com

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: 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: 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: 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 - 09:08 PM

Should read "Richard Thompson".

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: 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: Bobert
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:18 PM

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

B~

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 01:55 PM

Then there's "Mrs McGrath"

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: Teribus
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 02:56 PM

Great song WLD

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Beer
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:34 PM

Good writing Bobert.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:45 PM

Thanks, Beer... This song has always been a pauin in the butt for me... I wrote the above verses about 5 years ago and have never had any "innards" that I likes as much as what I have??? Oh well, dust the sucker off, throw in some "innards" about "Bobby Lee coming home in a flag draped coffin at Dover Filed" and some refernces to how comfy the folks are who order up the slaughter and let it fly....

Yeah, ol' hippie, "Sam Stone" is a great song but if I were gonna do a John Prine song I'd make it "Your Flag Won't Get You into Heaven Anymore"...

B~

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Jim Lad
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 11:00 PM

The Grave
I'm Asking You Seargant "Where's Mine?"
Blowin' in the Wind.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Gedpipes
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 04:25 AM

Bobert
What I can't understand about your original post is the fact that you 'are biting the bullet' If you fel uncomfortable about it why are you doing the gig?
Ged

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 01:18 PM

There is a song written by Margo Cook " The same wind Blaws on me" which is very poignant an I starts d would stike a chord with all those who have friends seving in the middle east.
It starts "The wind that sweeps the desert sand"
Il see her tomorrow night and get her permission to post it if anyone wants the full words.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: GUEST,Henryp
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 02:07 PM

Carrying Your Smile by Robb Johnson is a great song and exactly what you need!

Song on his new CD All That Way for This
Words and chords on his website http://www.robbjohnson.co.uk/news/alwft.html

Carrying your smile carefully in my heart
I carefully close the door and step into the dark
And though the journey home may take a little while
I will go the distance carrying your smile

Carrying your smile, it hardly hurts at all
When we say goodbye, when the silence falls
I don't count the days, I don't count the miles
I just go the distance carrying your smile

All across the world, this is what we do
We step into the dark and hope that we get through
All that keeps us going is the people that we love
But sometimes there are checkpoints where that won't be enough…
                                          
Carrying your smile like a lucky charm
I'm a lucky man to have held you in my arms
We line up at the checkpoint, we line up single file
I just want to go the distance carrying your smile.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Peace
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 02:10 PM

Years ago I played at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. My set was ALL anti-war. I received a good ovation at the end. They were anti-war too.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 04:25 PM

"They were anti-war too." Thought never crossed my mind. Good point.

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Bobert
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 06:14 PM

Well, Ged, that's good question...

But what it boils down to is that I was asked to do it and to not do it wouldn't be too neighborly... Heck, I play up at the ski lodge in the winter with cigarette smoke and drunks so I figured that if I can do that the least I could do was just "suck it up" and make the best of it... Plus, just about every musican in the danged county has agreed to participate so it's kinda a no-brainer...

But, hark... I was talkin' with one of the other musicans today who is a great lead guitarist and an even better drummer and asked him if he'd back me up with just a snare on "Drummer Boy" so I fell real comfy with that song...

"God's Will" is gonna take a little writin' tonight but I'll do it solo, or if my harmonica player can be there, just with him...

Man gotta do what a man gotta do...

B~

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: mg
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 07:48 PM

The important thing is not to support the troops so much as fail to abuse them. mg

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: The Walrus
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 10:22 PM

I note that one or two people have suggested hymns, may I add to the list:
"The Good Old Way" ("I Havee a Sweet Hope of Glory in My Soul") or, if the crowd seens right for it
"I Vow to Thee, My County" (but make sure you use BOTH verses)

There is another song, I don't know if it will be of any use, it depends on the audience.

http://janus001.blogspot.com/

The song is a UTube snippet embedded in a Regimental Association page*, posted on another site. (I just don't know how to extract it).

W

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 10:43 PM

Arlo Guthrie wrote a powerful song back in 1989 called When a Soldier Makes It Home. There's a Youtube video of Arlo performing it here.

WHEN A SOLDIER MAKES IT HOME
words and music by Arlo Guthrie

Halfway around the world tonight
In a strange and foreign land
A soldier packs his memories
As he leaves Afghanistan
And back home they don't know too much
There's just no way to tell
I guess you had to be there
For to know that war was hell

Chorus:
And there won't be any victory parades
For those that's coming back
They'll fly them in at midnight
And unload the body sacks
And the living will be walking down
A long and lonely road
Because nobody seems to care these days
When a soldier makes it home

They'll say it wasn't easy
Just another job well done
As the government in Kabul falls
To the sounds of rebel guns
And the faces of the comrades
Being blown out of the sky
Leaves you bitter with the feeling
That they didn't have to die

Chorus

Halfway around the world tonight
In a strange and foreign land
A soldier unpacks memories
That he saved from Vietnam
Back home they didn't know too much
There was just no way to tell
I guess you had to be there
For to know that war was hell

And there wasn't any big parades
For those that made it back
They flew them in at midnight
And unloaded all the sacks
And the living were left walking down
A long and lonely road
Because nobody seemed to care back then
When a soldier made it home

The night is coming quickly
And the stars are on their way
As I stare into the evening
Looking for the words to say
That I saw the lonely soldier
Just a boy that's far from home
And I saw that I was just like him
While upon this earth I roam

And there may not be any big parades
If I ever make it back
As I come home under cover
Through a world that can't keep track
Of the heroes who have fallen
Let alone the ones who won't
Which is why nobody seems to care
When a soldier makes it home

©1989 Arloco Music, Inc.


It really is a phenomenal song.

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: Ferrara
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 11:38 PM

You know, songs about lives ruined by war, or the bitter kind of protest songs may not be appropriate for a "support the Troops" event.

"Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" would be good, I think. How about soldiers' gripe songs? F'r instance
"I'll Tell You Where They Were",
"What Do You Do in the Infantry (You March, You March, You March)",
Ewan MacColl's "Browned Off,"
"Gee Ma I Want to Go Home ," or whatever.
Hard Crackers Come Again No More
Oh How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning
The Reuben James
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream
"Come Be A Soldier for Marlboro and Me" (Tune: same as Waltzing Matilda)
Oh It's a Lovely War

Don't know if you know any of these or if they appeal to you but anyway maybe they'll suggest something.
Rita F

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: TIA
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 12:06 AM

I would hope that anyone who hears "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" (mentioned above, thanks) would realize that it is ALL about supporting the troops. Eric Bogle sings it here.

Go Bobert!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: The Walrus
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 04:54 AM

I note that no-one has mentioned "When This Lousey/Bloody War is Over"

W

Subject: RE: 'Support the Troops' songs???
From: CET
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 05:08 AM

Rita, thanks for bringing up something that's bothered me about a lot of the songs mentioned on this thread. A very great number of the songs could easily come across as showing either condescension or a thinly veiled contempt for men and women in uniform. There's some good ones, too, that just aren't the right choice for this kind of gig. I could think of some Kipling and Burns songs and some trad stuff, like Over the Hills and Far Away (the John Tams lyrics), but I don't think that's Bobert's usual cup of tea.

Edmund