God help me i was only 19. JOHN SCHUMANN 2022-10-11
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"God Help Me, I Was Only 19" is a poignant and powerful song written by John Schumann and performed by the Australian folk group Redgum. The song tells the story of young soldiers who were sent to fight in the Vietnam War, and the devastating impact that the conflict had on their lives.
At the time the song was written, many young men in Australia were being conscripted to fight in Vietnam, and the song captures the feelings of fear, confusion, and grief that they experienced. The lyrics describe the horrors of war, including the loss of friends, the constant threat of death, and the psychological trauma of fighting in a foreign land.
Despite the tough subject matter, the song is ultimately a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of these young soldiers. It serves as a reminder of the terrible toll that war takes on those who are forced to fight in it, and the importance of remembering and honoring their service.
The song has become an important part of Australian culture, and has been covered by numerous artists over the years. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the power of its message, and the importance of remembering and honoring those who have served their country.
In conclusion, "God Help Me, I Was Only 19" is a powerful and moving tribute to the young soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War. It serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of war, and the importance of honoring and remembering those who have served their country.
I Was Only 19 lyrics by Redgum, 1 meaning. I Was Only 19 explained, official 2022 song lyrics
And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep? But we made our tents a home, VB and pin-ups on the lockers, and an Asian orange sunset through the scrub. God help me - I was only nineteen A four week operation, when each step can mean your last one on two legs It was a war within yourself But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off So you closed your eyes and thought about somethin' else And then someone yelled out "Contact", and the bloke behind me swore We hooked in there for hours, then a God almighty roar And Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon God help me - he was goin' home in June I can still see Frankie, drinkin' tinnies in the Grand Hotel On a thirty-six hour rec. One year later, he was boarding HMAS Sydney to fight in Vietnam. It's an easy way to fight a war after all. Ergo, not only would I be spending every waking moment making an ass of myself, the first time I'm shot at, if I don't just find a hole to hide in, I'd probably catch a bullet in my big mouth while arguing about something. Anything to survive, man. Some of those who heard this song for the first time never made it home alive.
God help me - I was only nineteen A four week operation, any step could be your last one on two legs It was a war within yourself But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off So you closed your eyes and you thought about somethin' else Then someone yelled out 'Contact', and the bloke behind me swore We hooked in there for hours, then a God almighty roar Frankie kicked the mine the day that mankind kicked the moon God help me - he was goin' home in June I can still see Frankie, drinkin' tinnies in the Grand Hotel On a thirty-six hour rec. And night time's just a jungle dark and a barking M. And night-time's just a jungle dark and a barking M16? But I would take lashes before I went around saluting, wearing a uniform, or doing any of that other military crap. I can not Thank Australia enough for their help to my men and America during the Iraq War. God help me - I was only nineteen A four week operation, when each step can mean your last one on two legs It was a war within yourself But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off So you closed your eyes and thought about somethin' else And then someone yelled out "Contact", and the bloke behind me swore We hooked in there for hours, then a God almighty roar And Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon God help me - he was goin' home in June And I can still see Frankie, drinkin' tinnies in the Grand Hotel On a thirty-six hour rec.
St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. . Retrieved 30 October 2008. . Am C G D But you wouldn't let your mates down til they had you dusted off Am G Am So you closed your eyes and thought about something else.
I Was Only Nineteen (A Walk In the Light Green) by Redgum
Am C G D But we made our tents a home, VB and pinups on the lockers Am G Am And an agent orange sunset through the scrub. And I can still hear Frankie lying screaming in the jungle. I could not, of my own accord, bring myself to join up with the army, not because I'm opposed to it, but because I'm not strong enough to do it and I'm not sure I ever will be. I can still see Frankie, drinking tinnies in the Grand Hotel On a thirty-six hour rec leave in Vung Tau And I can still hear Frankie, lying screaming in the jungle Til the morphine came and killed the bloody row. They lost many men too! I guess I would be a waste of their time more than they'd waste mine. I would rather shoot myself in both my knees, and stab myself till I couldn't see straight, than join the army.
E D God help me, I was only nineteen. Retrieved 2 November 2007. Ironically enough given the current climate, the only combat-position I'd feel comfortable with would be in helicopters. Otherwise I'd probably shoot myself in the foot, and run to america shouting 'purple heart plz'. Also - VB does mean victorian beer, The victoria Barracks were only for generals and ordinary soldiers wouldn't refer to it casually in this sence. And Townsville lined the footpaths as we marched down to the quay This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean. And night time's just a jungle dark and a barking M16? He didn't have 11 months left, Frankie was due to go home in June 1969 but had his tour extended by a couple of months so he was actually supposed to have already gone home when he was wounded.
I can get that kind of job without enlisting, and I choose not to for a reason. But Mick says it wasn't a painful experience. F m E D A And there's me in my slouch hat with my SLR and greens. Actually, I don't know why. And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means? I was listening to 'hero of war' not long ago, too. And then someone yelled out "Contact! Am C G D The sixth battalion was the next to tour, and it was me who drew the card.
And the Anzac legends didn't mention mud and blood and tears And the stories that my father told me never seemed quite real. And for you guys' information. Retrieved 4 January 2020. I mean, there could be mitigating circumstances that'd lead to me killing civilians but I'd never be able to justify that to myself and it would probably destroy me emotionally for the rest of my life. Retrieved 11 October 2007.
Lyrics for I Was Only Nineteen (A Walk In the Light Green) by Redgum
. As for Frankie "going home in June", 6 RARs 2nd tour was from May 1969 to April 1970 therefore Frankie wasn't due to go home until April 1970, the mine incident of course meant he was repatriated on 22 July 1969. And yes — he felt it. Light green meant it had been cleared, but there were likely minefields and probably Vietnamese around because it had been cleared. Retrieved 26 February 2011. Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal It was a long march from Cadets The sixth battalion was the next to tour It was me who drew the card we did Canungra and Shoalwater before we left And Townsville lined the footpaths as we marched down to the quay This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean.
Breaking down the truth behind Redgum’s ‘I Was Only 19’
He sadly passed away in this incident. . God help me I was only nineteen The song is a first-person account of a typical Australian infantry regular soldiers experience in the Vietnam War, from training in Australia to first hand exposure to military operations and combat, and ultimately his return home disillusioned, psychologically scarred and possibly suffering from the effects of the chemical defoliant Agent Orange. God help me - I was only nineteen A four week operation, any step could be your last one on two legs It was a war within yourself But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off So you closed your eyes and you thought about somethin' else Then someone yelled out "Contact", and the bloke behind me swore We hooked in there for hours, then a God almighty roar Frankie kicked the mine the day that mankind kicked the moon God help me - he was goin' home in June I can still see Frankie, drinkin' tinnies in the Grand Hotel On a thirty-six hour rec. As it was, I decided not to and I am grateful for the boys who had more guts than me, who did.
