Page 38 - Stand Down Vietnam

PROTESTORS AND THE MUSIC OF THE VIETNAM WAR

The dispute within the government and the populace gave
fodder to the pro-war and anti-war activists and music
of the Vietnam-Era.

I believe the lyrics of many of the songs of that era
got it right. The common person spoke out and voiced

opinions of American participation in the war.

It would be many years later that the government would
declassify and release documents that gave proof to the
words of many of the protest songs.

The songs spoke of real issues within the protest
movement and many applied to the vast anti-war movement
in general.

A common theme within the lyrics of the songs is that
war is immoral. Many Veterans struggle within
themselves about this very issue. War consumes and
changes soldiers. Many returned home unable to
reintegrate into a non-war society. Many others came
home to witness a complete disintegration of the morals
of the society they had left behind. Suffice it to
say; the Vietnam War era affected more than the
soldiers who served.

The Vietnam Era playlist of music reflects the songs
that influenced the Veterans participating in this
book. For whatever reason, a verse or perhaps a theme
resonated with the Veteran and remains locked in his or
her memory.

One popular website for research and to possibly listen
to the music mentioned in this book is:

https://www.youtube.com/