Shadow Valley and Iron Triangles

Annotation — Australian & New Zealand Songs

The song "Shadow Valley and Iron Triangles" (Festival Records # FK-1828) by The Young Australians, is in fact a spoken-word, patriotic fanfare narration by conservative Australian politician Andrew Jones, (26 May 1944 – 2 December 2015), the Victor Lundberg of Australia. The narration contained strong anti-communist sentiment, as well as propagating the "domino theory": "how long will Australia be free when the red cancer of communism is eaten through Asia - this is the theory that the collapse of South Vietnam into the control of the communist north would trigger the collapse of democracy in other countries, the idea of which came from US President Eisenhower, during a press conferences on 7 April 1954.1 The narrator then criticised Australian apathy: "wake up Australia" - suggesting that people were either not patriotic, or ignorant of the threat posed by communism to free speech etc. The monologue then spouted nationalistic rhetoric, using previous conflicts to stir patriotic feelings: "show the spirit of Gallipoli...and Korea, we must defend Australia" - of course, Gallipoli being a reference to the First World War battle involving Australia, and the US conflict in Korea, in which Australia also contributed. Sources1The American Presidency Project: The President’s News Conference, 7 April 1954↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs

The song "Shadow Valley and Iron Triangles" (Festival Records # FK-1828) by The Young Australians, is in fact a spoken-word, patriotic fanfare narration by conservative Australian politician Andrew Jones, (26 May 1944 – 2 December 2015), the Victor Lundberg of Australia.. The narration contained strong anti-communist sentiment, as well as propagating the "domino theory": "how long will Australia be free when the red cancer of communism is eaten through Asia - this is the theory that the collapse of South Vietnam into the control of the communist north would trigger the collapse of democracy in other countries, the idea of which came from US President Eisenhower, during a press conferences on 7 April 1954.1 The narrator then criticised Australian apathy: "wake up Australia" - suggesting that people were either not patriotic, or ignorant of the threat posed by communism to free speech etc. The monologue then spouted nationalistic rhetoric, using previous conflicts to stir patriotic feelings: "show the spirit of Gallipoli...and Korea, we must defend Australia" - of course, Gallipoli being a reference to the First World War battle involving Australia, and the US conflict in Korea, in which Australia also contributed. Sources1The American Presidency Project: The President’s News Conference, 7 April 1954↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: People today have money and good times, things seem to be going pretty well, but is our greatest asset apathy, is our religion complacency, and our motto, let someone else do it? There's always the fool, someone to do the work, the sucker to do the sweating, and the dying. So what if the war go on another five years, there's always America, good old Uncle Sam. But how long will Australia be free when the red cancer of communism is eaten through Asia. Will we still sing with our hearts when we look at our flag with pride? Just try it, you may be beaten, tortured, even shot... you know there is only one colour on the red flag. There aims are simple, to destroy our heritage for theirs, to cast out hope for fear., and to crush the spirit, manhood, and dutiful pride of our nation". || "Wake up Australia! Can't you see the warning signs, the danger, why sleep in the past, get out of your bed of apathy! Don't you realise what wer'e fighting for? Have you lost your love of freedom? Our fathers opposed different enemies, yet the same, oppression and terror. Are we blind to them today? Can we not see, what true Australian would prevent freedom of speech? The shame to see our leaders pushed and shoved, and spat upon. Must we resort to terror tactics to prevent free speech? Can't we see, there turning us, the one against the other? Have we lost our national pride, love of country? Do we look the other way?" || "You say, what can we do? Australia is weak, insignificant, dead…

Notes

Spoken patriotic narration over music by the politician Andrew Jones, in the manner of Victor Lundberg. The label credits the narration to Allen Stewart and Martin Christmas, with "Waltzing Matilda" (Cowan-Paterson) as background music; Alan's; matrix MX23179. Festival FK-1828, matrix MX23179, 45, white-and-turquoise Festival label with the Allan's logo; "Shadow Valley and Iron Triangles", narration (Allen Stewart–Martin Christmas), background music "Waltzing Matilda" (Cowan–Paterson), 3.20, The Young Australians, "All Rights Reserved"; "Made in Australia by Festival Records Pty. Ltd." Supplied in a clear Festival Records company sleeve printed "Festival has the HITS!" with outline maps of Australia and New Zealand. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Andrew Jones (26 May 1944 - 2 December 2015) - Liberal politician, Member of the Australian House of Representatives for Adelaide, South Australia, 1966-69; the narrator of this record, credited to The Young Australians.

Themes

Patriotic · Anti-Communism · Domino Theory · Eisenhower · Gallipoli · Korea · Pro-Government

In collections

Australian & New Zealand Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]