Talking Vietnam Blues Phil Ochs

"Talking Vietnam Blues" by Phil Ochs, released in 1965, is a folk protest song that critiques the Vietnam War and its impact on American society. The lyrics express disillusionment and frustration with government policies and the media's portrayal of the conflict. Ochs' unique storytelling and sardonic wit highlight the absurdity of war. The song became an anthem for the anti-war movement, reflecting the growing counterculture sentiment of the 1960s. #Folk

[Verse 1]
Sailing over to Vietnam
Southeast Asian Birmingham
Well training is the word we use
Nice word to have in case we lose
Training a million Vietnamese
To fight for the wrong government and the American Way

[Verse 2]
Well they put me in a barracks house
Just across the way from Laos
They said you're pretty safe when the troops deploy
But don't turn your back on your house boy
When they ring the gong
Watch out for the Viet Cong

[Verse 3]
Well the sergeant said it's time to train
So I climbed aboard my helicopter plane
We flew above the battle ground
A sniper tried to shoot us down
He must have forgot, we're only trainees
Them Commies never fight fair

[Verse 4]
Friends, the very next day we trained some more
We burned some villages down to the floor
Yes, we burned out the jungles far and wide
Made sure those red apes had no place left to hide
Threw all the people in relocation camps
Under lock and key, made damn sure they're free

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