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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