The American Way

Annotation — Indigenous Americans

A patriotic American Indigenous, Christian LP, with the song "The American Way" (# LPS 7108) by The Singing Tribesmen, led by Roy Willis, a veteran of the Vietnam War. The back of the sleeve said: "part of the old Choctaw Nation, where education had a top priority and the tribe provided schools which were forerunners of modern institutions. Willis is also a veteran of the Viet Nam War". The song noted the impact of war: "mothers are crying, young men are dying", while promoting patriotism "to keep our country free", and criticizing protesters and those that do not follow Christian / religious practice: "many people protesting... failing to kneel and pray". There is no record label, and seems to be self-released, with the back of the record stating: "for more copies or bookings write: The Singing Tribesmen / Roy A. Willis, MGR. Route 2, Box 32, Broken Bow, Oklahoma, 74728". Printed by Wills Printing Co, Arlington, Texas. A later issue of the record has "Okie Records" printed on it.1Sources1Discogs: The Singing Tribesmen The American Way↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Look all around you / See all the trouble in this central land / There is turmoil everywhere / There's danger in the air / You can't be safe in the streets at night in every single town / What will it take to turn this world around / Just a little more living / Just a living more giving / See your friends and neighbors each and every day / Just a little more friendship / Just a little more kinship / Just a little more loving in a Christian way / Mothers crying / Young men are dying / To keep this country free / This war on every hand / It's travelling through our land / Many people protesting / Forgetting blessing, failing to kneel and pray / What will it take to save the American way...

Notes

LPS 7108, title track A4, 2:30 (Haskell Cooley, Suzanne Vance). Recorded at Sumet-Bernet Sound Studios, Dallas; sleeve notes Mary M. Frye. Members: Roy A. Willis (lead vocals), Henry L. Battiest, Dale Benson, Wayne Smith, Danny Ray, Steve Winters. Self-issued (write to Roy A. Willis, Broken Bow); a later issue carries the Okie Records name.

About the artist

Choctaw gospel group from McCurtain County, southeast Oklahoma, USA, managed by Roy A. Willis of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, a veteran of the Vietnam War. [Source: sleeve notes]

Themes

Patriotic · Anti-Protest · Religion

In collections

Indigenous Americans · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]