Postcards From Saigon

Annotation — Australian & New Zealand Songs

Singer/songwriter James Blundell, born on 8 December 1964 in Australia, released the song "Postcards From Saigon" (Revenge Records), as a tribute to Australian veterans of the Vietnam War, inspired by the US invasion of Iraq, ongoing at that time.1 The back of the CD single said that the proceeds from this release would be donated to the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, stating that: "The VVAA NSW Branch is a welfare charity group which provides welfare support and claims assistance to all veterans and their dependents. The proceeds of the sale of this CD are being used to help build the new National Museum at Philip Island, and to establish the 'James Blundell' Veteran's Children Bursary Fund".2 The narrator told of his brother who "went to Vietnam for Harold Holt and Uncle Same" - Holt being a reference to the Australian Prime Minister (1966-67). His brother's "best friend faded in his arms", and so "he felt guilty coming home". His brother struggled in the post-war period: "can you help to ease the pain". Sources1Wikipedia: Postcards from Saigon↩2Postcard From Saigon - James Blundell (PS) (B)↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: My brother had a a dream / My brother wore the jungle green / My brother went to Vietnam / For Harold Holt and Uncle Sam / He sent postcards from Saigon / I'm alright but it's all wrong / Three postcards from Saigon / My brother kissed the face of death / My brother drew the deepest breath / His best friend faded in his arms / He felt guilty coming home / He sent postcards from Saigon / I'm alright but it's all wrong / Three postcards from Saigon / In the killing fields the bullets sing / Purple Haze in the pouring rain / It's a military tattoo from Abel and Cain / Why must history repeat itself time and time again / My brother divorced and remarried / One summer, but two miscarried / Can you help to ease the pain / Close the circle, make him whole again / Get to know him by his name... / He sent postcards from Saigon...

Notes

Charity single for the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (NSW Branch); inspired by the Iraq war. Narrated by a veteran's brother.

About the artist

James Blundell - country singer-songwriter born 8 December 1964 in Australia.

Themes

Vet · Home Front Perspective · Harold Holt · Iraq War · PTSD · Combat · Vietnam Analogy

In collections

Australian & New Zealand Songs · PTSD Songs · Vietnam as Comparison