Kris Kristofferson: Vietnam Blues (1966)

Kris Kristofferson (1936- ) is an American actor, singer and songwriter who specialised in country music. Kristofferson, the son of a US Army officer, was a champion college sportsman before following his father into military service. He graduated from West Point and became a helicopter pilot, finishing his military service in 1965 just as the Vietnam War was unfolding. Kristofferson then achieved acclaim as a songwriter, penning hit singles like Me and Bobby McGee and For the Good Times. In 1966 Kristofferson wrote Vietnam Blues, a spoken-word song about an enlisted soldier who encounters a group of anti-war protestors in Washington DC. It was picked up and recorded by Dave Dudley, a deep-voiced country musician who specialised in trucking songs. The pro-war sentiments of Vietnam Blues were common in country music of the mid-1960s. Kristofferson has since changed his position on Vietnam and views the hawkish lyrics of Vietnam Blues with some embarrassment.

I was out on the leave at the time
Just ducking the fog nosing around like a hungry dog
In that crazy place called Washington DC.

I saw a crowd of people on the White House lawn
All carrying signs about VietNam
So I went over to see what was going on.

It was a strange looking bunch but then
I never could understand some people [or civilians]
A fellow came to me with a list in his hand
He said we’re gathering names to send a telegram of sympathy Then he handed me a pen.

I said I reckon this is going to the children and wives
My friends over there who’re giving their lives
He said “Uh-uh, buddy, this is going to Ho Chi Minh”.

I said “Ho Chi who?” He said Ho Chi Min
The people’s leader of North VietNam.

Oh I wasn’t really sure I was hearing him right
I though I’d better move before I got in a fight
Cause my ears were hurting and my pulse started hitting a lick.

Then I thought of another telegram that I’ve just read
Telling my buddy’s wife that her husband was dead
And it wasn’t too long till I was feeling downright sick.

Another held the sign that said “We won’t fight”
I thought to myself “Boy, you got that right”
You’d rather just let soldiers die instead.

I said “It’s a shame that every man who ever died
Up there that far off land
Was dying so that you wouldn’t have to wake up dead.

Of course he looked at me like I was crazy
Just another warmonger.

I left that place and I went downtown
And hit the first bar that I’d found
To cool myself off and pacify my brain.

You see I was on orders to Vietnam
A little old place just north to Saigon
Had about an hour to catch myself a plane.

So all I mean to say is I don’t like dying either
But man I ain’t gonna crawl.


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