Lyr Req: A Letter from Viet Nam (Hank Snow)

Subject: Unknown Vietnam song, possibly Hank Snow
From:
Date: 04 Apr 00 - 07:12 PM

I have spent a couple years attempting to identify a song that appears at minute 46 in the episode "Frontline America" in the series VIETNAM: THE 10,000 DAY WAR video series. The end credits list neither the song or performer but it is almost certainly a song that appeared during the war, probably in the mid-to-late 1960s. I finally found a list of Vietnam-related songs and I think the song may be "Letter From Vietnam (To Mother)" by Hank Snow. Only part of the lyrics appear on the show and read:

...At mail call I received your letter here today, but I don't understand the things you say. You tell me there are people marching in our streets, the signs they carry say we don't fight for peace. There's not a soldier in this foreign land who likes this war; oh Mama, tell them what we're fighting for.

Dr. Lydia Fish suggested I give Mudcat a try and I hope someone can help me. Thank you!

Subject: RE: Help: Unknown Vietnam song, possibly Hank Sno
From: ddw
Date: 04 Apr 00 - 07:16 PM

Bill, I don't recognize this right off the top, but I have a Vietnam Songbook at home. I'll look for it tonight when I get home and post it tomorrow if I find it. Keep the thread alive.

david

Subject: RE: Help: Unknown Vietnam song, possibly Hank Sno
From: Banjer
Date: 04 Apr 00 - 07:29 PM

Hank Snow?, Possibly, but I almost seems as if I can here Merle Haggard singing it.....Let's hope ddw can shed some light.

Subject: RE: Help: Unknown Vietnam song, possibly Hank Sno
From: Banjer
Date: 04 Apr 00 - 07:30 PM

*blush* gotta lern tu prufreed! here=hear in above...

Subject: RE: Help: Unknown Vietnam song, possibly Hank Sno
From: Dale Rose
Date: 04 Apr 00 - 07:34 PM

I checked, yes, it is a HS song, though it is one I have never heard. Dutifully turned it over to Mr. GG. While others may have it too, he is most likely. Come to think of it, Stewie probably has it too. But now I have gone and left out any one of a half dozen others who might have it too. (You know who you are!)

Subject: RE: Help: Unknown Vietnam song, possibly Hank Sno
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 04 Apr 00 - 11:07 PM

Dave Dudley recorded/sang that...I have it...

Subject: Lyr Add: WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR (Tom T. Hall)
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 12:22 AM

Tho others may have recorded it, I recall this one.

WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR
Recorded by: Dave Dudley
Writer: Tom T. Hall

My Dearest Mama, they just gave us time to write
I miss you and there's something on my mind tonight
At mail call, I received your letter, here today
But I don't understand the things you say.

You tell me there are people marching in our streets
The signs they carry say that we don't fight for peace
There's not a soldier in this foreign land who likes this war
Oh Mama, tell them WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR.

Tell them that we're fighting for the old RED, WHITE and BLUE
Did they forget PEARL HARBOR and KOREA, too?
Another flag must never fly above out nation's door
Oh Mama, tell them WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR.

From Maine to California there are many noble men
Who know the price of war and prayed we'd never fight again
But the world must learn that we will fight, we will protect our shore
Oh Mama, tell them WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR
Oh Mama, tell them WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR [fade]
Oh Mama, tell them WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR.

SOURCE:
DAVE DUDLEY
THERE'S A STAR-SPANGLED BANNER WAVING SOMEWHERE
MERCURY RECORD CORP. SR 61057

Subject: RE: Help: Unknown Vietnam song, possibly Hank Sno
From: ddw
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 06:56 PM

I'm relieved to see that Gene came up with the words and source, Alan — makes it a little less unpleasant to tell you that I couldn't find it. I went thru my Vietnam Songbook last night; no luck. But you have the words now, so the world is still turning in the right orbit.

enjoy,

david

Subject: RE: Help: Unknown Vietnam song, possibly Hank Sno
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 09:53 PM

Alan I would certainly like to see the list
of songs from the VIETNAM SONGBOOK...
if you would please post them...

Subject: RE: Help: Unknown Vietnam song, possibly Hank Sno
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 11:50 PM

DAVID, i must had a brain malfunction when I posted the above...in anycase i would like to see the song list!

Subject: Lyr Add: A LETTER FROM VIETNAM (from Hank Snow)
From: oldhippie
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 04:02 PM

I think this is the song wanted:

A LETTER FROM VIETNAM
Sung by Hank Snow

The sun was slowly setting
On the land of Vietnam
Our captain gave his orders
And I quickly took my stand
The guns were roaring fiercely
As our jets took off in flight
So I took this piece of paper
Mum, and to you I'd thought I'd write

Mum, I'm writing this from a treetop
I'm a sniper here by the way
And from where I sit I watch for the enemy
Cause as you know, they're our deadly prey
But while I was writing this line that says
"Dear Mother I love you so"
I heard a shot and when I looked
They had killed my best friend Joe
It was heartbreaking Mother
To see him lying there in tears
And wracked with pain
Our chaplin praying over him
And the doctor trying to ease his pain
As I hurried to the dreadful scene
I heard the doctor say
Im afraid his battles over
You see, Mom his chest was shot away
So I thought I might ease my saddened heart
And the pain of this horrible blow
And if this letter seems to be blurred a bit
Its from my tears that flow
But there's one consolation I have, Mom
And the great general in heaven
Knows how right I am
He gave his life for you and my sweetheart
And his all for Uncle Sam

I just came from the funeral
So I'll finish this to you
They wrapped him in Old Glory
The red, white, and the blue
I'd better take my post now
So please give my love to Sue
And I'll do my best for Uncle Sam
And Mother dear for you

Subject: RE: Help: Unknown Vietnam song, possibly Hank Sno
From: GUEST,Curious Gary
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 02:22 PM

Does anyone remember the song that goes {sokiss me ounce again before I leave you,it must last a long long time you know,cause ther shipping me to lonesome Vietnam.} My ex sister-inlaw had it on an album back in 1974.