Origin: I Was Only 19 - listen now

Subject: I Was Only 19 - listen now
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 09:46 PM

I'm sitting here listening to the author, John Schumann & his brother-in-law, Mick Storan, who Was Only 19 as they talk about the genesis of this song.

Everytime I stop crying, they say something else, or play a line from the song, & I start again, it's one of the best docos I've ever heard.

I remember watching the man walk on the moon, but strangely enough I don't remember the battle of Long Tan (sp?)

sandra

ABC Radio - Into the Music, Music documentaries with Robyn Johnston

Only 19

It's a program about the genesis and impact of this song on both the subjects it remembers and the national psyche it touched so strongly

Listen Now

2003 interview with John Schumann

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: Beer
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 10:13 PM

Sandra,
I have never heard of Long tan-pan nor have I heard of it is only 19. But my heart is with you. Thank you for taking me back in time. Then maybe I shouldn't. No, piss on it.
Thank you.

Subject: Lyr Add: I WAS ONLY 19 (John Schumann)
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 10:34 PM

Sandra, thank you. It wasn't the song I thought it was, but incredible lyrics (posted below). I will listen to the whole show when I ahve more time.

That is an very interesting site. I listened to a little bit of the Malta vernacular singing. It is such a thrill to hear rare recordings of such music. Thanks!




I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green)by John Schumann


Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal,
(1t was long march from cadets).
The Sixth Battalion was the next to tour and it was me who drew the card…
We did Canungra and Shoalwater before we left.

And Townsville lined the footpath as we marched down to the quay;
This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean;
And there's me in my slouch hat, with my SLR and greens…
God help me, I was only nineteen.

From Vung Tau riding Chinooks to the dust at Nui Dat,
I'd been in and out of choppers now for months.
But we made our tents a home, VB and pin-ups on the lockers,
and an Asian orange sunset through the scrub.

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep?
And night time's just a jungle dark and a barking M16?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me, I was only nineteen.

A four week operation, when each step could mean your last one on two legs:
it was a war within yourself.
But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off,
so you closed your eyes and thought about something else.

Then someone yelled out "Contact"', and the bloke behind me swore.
We hooked in there for hours, then a God almighty roar;
Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon: -
God help me, he was going home in June.

1 can still see Frankie, drinking tinnies in the Grand Hotel
on a thirty-six hour rec. leave in Vung Tau.
And I can still hear Frankie lying screaming in the jungle.
'Till the morphine came and killed the bloody row

And the Anzac legends didn't mention mud and blood and tears,
and stories that my father told me never seemed quite real
I caught some pieces in my back that I didn't even feel…
God help me, I was only nineteen.

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep?
And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me,
I was only nineteen.

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: Beer
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 10:35 PM

I remember that my friend from the States said that he had to go home because he was called to go to Viet-Nam. I wasn't sure what he meant. I was to interested in girls. I was 19 at the time. Then he said. Why don't you come with me. I often wonder if I would be here if I had went. I also wonder if he made it. Damn , I don't even remember his name.

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 06:19 AM

We Aussies have been listening to this song for some years now.

Top Ten Hit, and all...

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: DaveA
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 07:10 AM

Sandra, you are a smart & generous woman. Not only were you smart enough to dicover that it was on but then you gave us the Blue Clickies to share it as well.
Vietnam was a watershed for many many Australians. My father, who had enlisted early in 1940 & did his time in Africa mainly, with a nasty coda in New Guinea near the end regarded the war as his making as a man & a citizen. He went in as a private (escaping a career as a clerk in a biscuit factory). He emerged as an officer with a couple of real medals, was convinced to make a career in the Army and that was how I was raised. We had no issues re the Korean War - hell, the Empire was fighting again!! But Vietman drove a breech between us. I was at Monash Uni in the early 60' doing history with the late lamented Ian Turner as my thesis supervisor. And to add to the mix it was uncertain whether I was in the draft or just too old! I wonted no part of it. Dad, on the other hand, thought a tour would be the making of me as he reviewed his war and was steadily urging me to volunteer.

In short, I residted his arguements although a few friends did indeed enlist. And as time went on & he realised that the government he had been trusting to protest the men were somewhat more interested in the political manouvrings he lost heart.

So, in his declining years, I have some happy memories (usually around Easter) where I would move the stereo into the back yard in the evening and we would spend hours listening to trad & popular folk from my collection. For trad read Pete, Woody, Kenneth McKellar, Martyn Wyndham Reid & the like. For pop, PP&M, CMT, KT,and of course Joan!! I am sad he never got to hear "I was only 19". I think he had mellowed enough by when it can out to accept the role of the Vietnsm Viets.

So, all of this came flooding back when I played the feature and heard those ringing chords chime out again. I own the commercial release CD - it is apparent that I don't play it enough! Even though I do get to meet John a few times a year at a friends vineyard.

Great Stuff Sandra

I think I might send it to Big Mick - I suspect the rebel in him will empsthise.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: Big Mick
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 08:19 AM

Yeah Dave, it does resonate but on a number or levels. If you would like to get an understanding of how this one hits me, Please read this post of mine:

Songs of the Vietnam War

As you can see from that, this subject resonates strongly with me. Thanks for sharing it.

Mick

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 09:54 PM

thanks, Dave

Tho I wasn't personally affected (I finished high school in 1969 & didn't know anyone who was drafted), I've always found the song a magnificent piece of writing. It was equally affecting to listen to how it was written.

The political arguments meant that the Vietnam vets had to wait decades for a Welcome Home parade.

Kat - Radio National is a great site for music. You won't hear a Top 40 "hit" there - unless it comes from somewhere outside the English speaking world.

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 11:57 PM

If anyone hasn't read the post that Big Mick references above (up two posts - hit the blue clicky), go read it now. I just read it; it is the most powerful and moving thing I've read in a long, long time. Painful, awful, wonderful. Thank you, Mick. I hope you won't mind if I share it with others off-list.

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: Amergin
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 12:16 AM

A fabulous song....I love John Schumann's music....either with himslef or redgum! I heard a fabulous rendition of this song once by John Williamson....though I do prefer Redgum's!

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: Little Hawk
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 01:19 AM

If people learn anything from a war, let's hope it is that the "other guy" was suffering just as much as you were...and in the same way.

Hell of a good post, Mick.

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: DaveA
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 05:44 AM

I have never been at such a loss for words. Thank you Sandra again for your original posting. Without it, I (and probably a host of other newcomers) would never have discovered that incredible thread & the quite matchless post from Mick!

I have never been so moved or so shaken!

Mick, there is a corny sentimental ballad of our parents generation which says:
"If I can help somebody as I pass along,
then my living will not be in vain"

Thank you for not jumping off that cliff.

And thank you for adding me to the list of those you have reached out to & inspired

Dave

Subject: RE: I was only 19 - listen now
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 06:02 AM

Mick's post was one of the most remarkable pieces of writing I've ever read.

And reading thru the other posts had me crying again - the tear ducts have certainly been working overtime!

Then I received the Christmas appeal from one of my favourite charities, so more tears snuck out. Thank God for the Salvos.

sandra