By a twist of fate, I did not have to serve in the military.
The draft ended in 1975 just before I was of age, and then draft registration was re-instated in 1980 for all males, born on or after January 1, 1960.
I'd like to believe that this was some kind of cosmic reward for going on peace marches with my parents when I was a kid, but really it was just plain dumb luck.
We had slightly older friends who were drafted. Some went to Canada, some went to prison as conscientious objectors, and most regular "Joes" did their tour of duty.
Some came back from Vietnam, and some did not, and the ones who survived found their reception upon returning to be pretty shitty.
Teddy Zambetti wrote these timeless lyrics about wars and warriors.
My Father Says
Went to fight for the land of the free
Never asking what's in it for me
Coming home the joke was on me
Wasn't what I was told it would be
Got a question from my eldest boy
Daddy tell me how did you lose the war
Had to pick myself up from the floor
My father says
His service days were not the same as this
My father says
Ticker tape parades and heroes did exist
Well my dad was all but nineteen
He volunteered to the American dream
Right or wrong they were Mr. Clean
Right or wrong things were what they seemed
And he tells of tales to my eldest boy
Papa tell me how did you win the war
Had to pick myself up from the floor
My father says
His younger days were not the same as this
My father says
Oh hear the rain, and the souls that never rest
You have to point your life and just live
Answers only time will give
And history's just like a sieve
And the truth appears like a gift
Dad and I told my eldest boy
Son do what you can to avoid a war
Stand tall with your feet on the floor
Britt Bacon: vocals, piano
Teddy Zambetti: drums, BG vocals
Alan Morse: lead electric guitar
Richy Stano: rhythm guitar
Ritt Henn: bass
Courtland Converse: synth
Steve Allen: clarinet
Written by Britt Bacon and Teddy Zambetti
©1986
Source: 22 track tape (the other 2 tracks were used for automation). Remixed 2013. No auto-tune.
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