32 tear jerkers -14
32 tear jerkers -14
friday, 27 june, '03
the third time the ken burn's documentary was aired in australia, it was preceded with and hour-long musical documentary on songs of the american civil war.
 civil war historian shelby foote, in describing civil war 'tear jerkers' popular with the troops of both sides said 'the war brought out strong emotions, and the soldiers earned the right to air their feelings in song (without any loss of machismo, 'manliness' ).
 the same is true of all wars.
 what I found surprising was that humourous songs sung in the american civil war +, in vietnam were sung, changed, became 'tear jerkers'.
 I don't think the appearance of service tear jerkers is related to the appearance of teenage popular tear jerkers, patches, teen angel, et al, of the early sixties popular music.
 in civil society perhaps these songs appeared as a touch of reflectiveness, now absent, to the burgeoning economy in western society;
 provided was able to be perceived at that particular time, as fulfilling, a n empty 'market'.
 it is a well established fact, though still little known, and even less appreciated, that the infantryman in vietnam with a one year tour of duty, experienced more combat than any of their predecessors in even the 6 years of wwii.
 the intensity of that combat, especially in some units, surpassed the intensity and casualty rates of wwi.
 i've previously stated that all service songs are 'closed society' songs, not for public 'performance'.
 tear jerkers especially were only sung amongst the small groups of soldiers who directly were involved, and experienced;
 maybe only from 1 to 6 people, who were involved, participated.
 the songs:
1.
where was god?
2.
lights out
3.
my soldier daddy
4.
suvla bay x 3
5.
banks of the murray
6.
nsw lancer's lament
7.
sing me to sleep x 4
8.
the last farewell
9.
the love angel
10.
purple twilight
11.
fireball/blue four
12.
soldier's leicht wacht x 3
13.
vietnam summertime x 3
14.
brother, dear brother (previously, 'bacon and beans',
humourous)