Vietnam

Annotation — Australian & New Zealand Songs

Ronnie Hughes, a pop singer, whose last known address was Labrador, Queensland, Australia. He released the song "Vietnam" (Axent Records # YPRX 1929) on a Kogarah, NSW-based record label. The narrator focused on his son, who "died in a field in Vietnam... we don't know what for". It noted that his family received medals, which they did not want: "we don't want your medals, we just want our sons".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Our son died, we don't know what for / Our son died, for he went to war / Our son fought in a far distant land / Our son died in a field in Vietnam / The letters he wrote tell of the war / The fighting, the killing, we don't know what for / There was blood on the soil, and blood on the sand / Our son died in a field in Vietnam / Vietnam, Vietnam, our sons answered the call / Vietnam, Vietnam, they died for nothing at all / Why did we kill, can't be fun / If a man dies he's somebody's son / They've love him and nursed him from a boy to a man / Our son died in a field in Vietnam / Medals... but the damage is done / We don't want your medals, we just want our sons / If you had a son you'd understand / Our son died in a field in Vietnam / Vietnam, Vietnam, our son answered the call / Vietnam, Vietnam, they died for nothing at all / Yes they died for nothing at all

Notes

Side 1, track 6 of the LP. Produced by Ross McGregor and Anthony Vadala, musical arranger Anthony Vadala, recorded at Axent Studios, Kogarah, NSW; backing vocal Rita Scott. Axent YPRX 1929, 33⅓ rpm, yellow label marked "Side 1 AMCO", Made in Australia; "Vietnam (Ronnie Hughes)" is side 1 track 6, one of seven songs on the album marked "By Ronnie Hughes". The front cover shows Hughes in a blue satin shirt and black waistcoat against a sunset over the sea. Back-cover band credits: keyboards Anthony Vadala and Ross McGregor, guitar Vince Lombardo, steel guitar Lance Clarke, trumpet Kevin Dubber, saxophone Mark Dennison, bass Roy Delfino, drums Jess Zappia; recording engineer Ross McGregor (Axent Studio Kogarah), photography Errol Pinkerton. Hughes's sleeve note thanks his family, friends and the band, quotes his verse "We have all experienced sadness and fears, love and happiness and…

About the artist

Ronnie Hughes - pop singer, last known to be based in Labrador, Queensland.

Themes

Home Front Perspective · Medals · Anti-War · Combat

In collections

Australian & New Zealand Songs