z+The+Ballad+of+the+Green+Beret

__The Ballad of the Green Beret__ By Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler and Robin Moore, Copyright 1966

Fighting soldiers from the sky Fearless men who jump and die Men who mean just what they say The brave men of the Green Beret

Silver wings upon their chest These are men, America's best One hundred men will test today But only three win the Green Beret

Trained to live off nature's land Trained in combat, hand-to-hand Men who fight by night and day Courage peak from the Green Berets

Silver wings upon their chest These are men, America's best One hundred men will test today But only three win the Green Beret

Back at home a young wife waits Her Green Beret has met his fate He has died for those oppressed Leaving her his last request

Put silver wings on my son's chest Make him one of America's best He'll be a man they'll test one day Have him win the Green Beret.

back to Songs of the Vietnam Era

I chose this song by Sergeant Barry Sadler, because I liked the truthful and touching meaning of this song. The theme that was portrayed throughout this song was loyalty, bravery, and honor. Many men and women risked their lives to fight for their country and for others freedom as well. They didn’t only put their selves in pain, but their families as well. Many war wives were left alone to comfort themselves when their husbands died in the war. The last stanza touched me, because I thought about how the father’s last request to his wife was to have their son carry the honor and tradition of the Green Baret. One unusual characteristic about this song was that it was supporting and casting a positive aspect about the Vietnam War and its soldiers. This made it different from other songs, because many people were against the war and wanted this horrid nightmare to end. Despite this small set back, this song was very popular and reached the number one spot on the Billboard Charts for five weeks in 1966. There are many different reactions that people could take away from this song. For example, soldiers could feel honored that their hard work of getting into the Green Baret has been recognized by being apart of a song. While other citizens could be taken back by the fact that this song is supporting the people who fought in the war. There are different perspectives that different people could take away because of their connections and feelings towards the Vietnam War.