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Rod & Sunny: Photo by Bob Gentry
8/5/1999
A Thought for Today
Reputation is everything. Be careful how you speak of others.
In keeping you posted on upcoming appearances, on Thursday November 9th I'll be performing "Jean" at the Broadhurst theatre in New York City as part of a tribute to producer Bobby Fryer. The event takes place at noon, is free and open to the public. Other artists scheduled to appear include Gwen Verdon, Betty Comden & Adolph Green and Neil Simon.
SOLDIERS WHO WANT TO BE HEROES
Dear Rod, Several years ago during military combat, a close friend - Eric, would always intone a few lines out of 'Soldiers who want to be heroes' just prior to our platoon going into battle. It became something of a ritual for Eric- and for us, I suppose. Hearing him speak those words became a talisman and we almost believed that it held the power to return us to civilization -alive. Our military service was of the compulsory kind, and we all shared the sentiment that we'd rather be civilians.
After completing our duties, we kept in touch for a few years but slowly lost touch as we've both led unsettled lives. I recently heard from a fellow veteran that Eric is going through an extremely difficult time. Like myself and many of our comrades, Eric is receiving long-term psychological
treatment for PTSD - yet another casualty of a senseless war.
Eric's depression has become chronic, and his spirit is dying. I can't forget how he renewed the courage in me with those words, and now I need to repay that kindness and somehow help Eric out of the mire he's drowning in. I regret that I never took the time to ask Eric about the song or the singer, but the words still echoed in my mind ever time I thought of him.
I would like to remind Eric of the hope that those words lent us, and made the effort to establish that it was you who wrote the song. I would dearly like to use the lyrics of 'Soldiers' in a message to Eric; to remind him that his encouragement was neither forgotten nor taken for granted.
So Rod, could you please let me have a copy of the lyrics, and your approval to use them to help a friend out of the darkness he is trapped in? Sincere thanks, Brian Mahood
Dear Brian, It's difficult for me to understand the continued neglect of Vietnam vets who came home with permanent mental damage from their experiences in Southeast Asia. And far from getting better, the situation has worsened.
Many middle-aged veterans can't find work because the social skills these kids were just developing as they went off to war have been replaced by demons that can't be shuffled off or kept in check. Others refight old battles on a nightly nightmare basis. Many veterans are homeless and after years of medication to keep them subdued (as opposed to attempts by the medical community to understand each individual problem) are zombie-like in their behavior.
Many more vets suffer in silence, ashamed to even ask for help - small wonder since the type of assistance offered is so inadequate and often inappropriate. We know the body count from Vietnam but none of us can even guess at the marriages, friendships, talent and productivity that have been lost to rage and mental illness because of the war.
I know a lot about depression, because day by day I'm a survivor of it. Although I've talked to hundreds of Viet-vets and received mail from many more I can't begin to get in their minds because I wasn't there.
Tipper Gore, a survivor of depression herself, has been in the forefront of those seeking better mental health care for the military as well as civilians. Every time a celebrity such as writer William Styron, Mike Wallace, Dick Cavett or Patty Duke comes out about having done battle with this debilitating and much misunderstood condition it draws attention to just how many people are affected by depression. So many Vietnam vets came home with muddled minds it produced a near epidemic. Whether or not her husband becomes president of the land you can look for Mrs. Gore to remain a leader for those of us seeking better understanding and more
comprehensive care for mental health patients.
I wish I could help your friend Eric in some tangible way, Brian, and if you can think of one let me know. Printing the lyrics to "Soldiers" seems like a pretty small gesture, but if it does help in any way, fine.
I am surprised by the continued popularity of "Soldiers Who Want to be Hero's." No week goes by that I don't receive letters or comments about it. It has been translated into many languages and continues to be performed in countries around the world. I never meant it to be an anthem or even a protest song. Like many of the songs I wrote during that period (Alley, Alley Oxen Free, The Things Men Do, Some of Them Fall, Maybe Tomorrow and others) it was written out of frustration; feeling powerless to do anything about so many of my brothers and sisters being sent off daily to fight a war few understood and nobody thought was winnable.
In the 1970's "Soldiers" became my first #1 single in Holland and on the continent. I was pretty taken aback since many radio stations in the US banned an earlier version of it by The Gateway Singers. It went on to hit status in its German translation by singer-actress Daliah Lavi and made the French charts when it was recorded by Les Compagnons de la Chanson. It is a song I remain serious about protecting.
Am I outraged by the possible damage to it in what many have pointed out is happening in a current lugubrious pop song (see Flight Plan 10/3/2000)? You figure it out.
Here are the words, Brian
Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes
Words & Music by Rod McKuen
verse:
Come and take my eldest son,
Show him how to shoot a gun
Wipe his eyes if he starts to cry
When the bullets fly.
Give him a rifle, take his hoe,
Show him a field where he can go
To lay his body down and die
Without asking why
chorus:
Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians
Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians
verse:
Sticks and stones can break your bones,
Even names can hurt you
But the thing that hurts the most
Is when a man deserts you
Don't you think its time to weed
The leaders that no longer lead
From the people of the land
Who'd like to see their sons again?
chorus:
Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians
Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians
verse:
God if men could only see
The lessons taught by history
That all the singers of this song
Cannot right a single wrong
Let all men of good will
Stay in the fields they have to till
Feed the mouths they have to fill
And cast away their arms
chorus:
Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians
Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians
Thanks, Brian, again let me know if I can be of further help.
In friendship and love, Rod
SOLDIERS, TWO
Hello Rod, I just thought you might be interested to know that your music is still played on BBC Radio 2. My new 'friend' John called me just after 9am on Saturday morning to tell me that he had been humming along to a song on the radio and the presenter then announced it was 'Soldiers
Who Want To Be Heroes'. Thought you might like to know that! Hope you had an enjoyable weekend and a good week in store. Love, Andrea Robb
Dear Andrea, Thanks, but at this point one wonders if it's "Soldiers," "The Klumps" or Memorex. The indegate goes on. Warmly, Rod
THE FLIGHT PLAN
After so many years of missing you, this site is refreshing
and warming; I LOVE IT! Is there any way you can make it available on a subscription basis so that we can receive it daily? Just a thought! Darlene Harris
Dear Darlene, That's an easy one. Just bookmark The Flight Plan by Clicking on the heart in the upper right hand corner of The Flight Plan page, check "Save to Favorite Places". Then every morning go to your list of favorite places and click the heart and you've got a subscription. If you prefer long hand, type out
rodmckuen.com and it will bring you to the
ASPTL Home Page. Double click on "Daily Flight Plan" and you'll get the same results.
Bookmarking, of course, offers the best advantage. So little celerity is involved, making it quicker and more efficient. Warmest regards, Rod
LICKING THE SWEAT OUT OF HER NAVEL?
You read a poem at Center college in 1972 that had a line about "licking the sweat out of her navel'. I've never been able to find the poem. Could you help? GRASSY
Dear Grassy, How graphic! Though I love navel maneuvers, I'm pretty sure I didn't put it quite that way. 'Licking?' That's a bit ersatz and non-poetic for a paean to romance. Still when in doubt, I consulted Guru Jay who sent the following report:
"Good Morning Rod, I did some checking on the Navel thing... I found...
Content to serve your navel as an acolyte would serve his unseen God... from Lonesome Cities.
And she also showed us her tattoo... a beetle flying over her navel.... from Beatsville.
he kept his eye upon the navel, not upon the orange... from The Word.
I could find nothing on Sweat. Waterfalls on a Saturday, Jay"
Alas these days I spend more time on omphaloskepsis than picking lint out of or toying with
another's navel. Hope one of the above is what you're looking for. Cheers, Rod
MORE ON THE OLYMPICS FROM CORAL
Dear Rod, I thought I would write and clarify a few things from your flight plan re the Olympics. There really is no excuse for NBC's appalling coverage. We have had 24 hour a day coverage here and mostly it's been truly astonishing.
However, re the music and your concern of lack of some old favorites. John Williamson WAS there... but he part of the pre telecast presentation, strictly for those who had paid for tickets to see the event live. He has a near anthem of his own with Hey True Blue.
Peter (Allen) God rest his soul.... (I did one of my first TV shows ever with the Allan Brothers) was not represented by" I Still Call Australia Home" for one simple reason, Qantas owns the rights for all commercial purposes. They bought the song in its entirety, though it may still be performed in a cabaret situation. Eric Bogle was NOT there..... but Eric is not actually Australian.
On the UP side, ALL of the music apart from the Olympic theme, and some of the selections of the marching band, were Australian compositions and specially created for the Games. Many young composers, some in their early twenties, had a chance for their work to be exposed to the entire world and overall the orchestral scoring was outstanding. My major gripe is that there were no credits AT ALL on the show for the talent, including composers and arrangers. I did think the songs were not terribly inspired
( not in your or Jimmy Webb's class) but they were at least original and once again written by young Aussie composers. John Farnham's talent was totally wasted.... he is arguably the finest male pop singer in the world.
Right now we are one hour away from the closing ceremony, .... where a friend of mine writes one of the original songs.... it has been an amazing Olympics, and one of which all Australia is proud, even those of us who did not support them coming here initially. And next week we have the para-Olympics, which should be even more inspirational.
So sorry you did not make it down here... how about a date for Ouzo, Souvlaki, and Kalamatta olives in Athens in four years time? Much Love, Coral
Dear Coral, I don't think anyone on the planet could dispute the fact that The Sydney Games were the most interesting, colorful, exciting and all around best in memory.
Most of that has to do with the incredible capacity the Australian people have for demonstrating friendship and hospitality. Maybe more of my friends can now understand why I love Oz so much and have written so much and so often about it.
Despite NBC's appalling coverage of the closing celebration, the sheer warmth and love of 'the happening' (and that's what it was, a glorious happening) came through
in spades. Would I have loved more of the honest cacophony of it all and less interruptions for dumb interviews of the athletes? You bet.
Q. To every athlete: What was it like to win?"
A. From every athlete: "Awesome."
Gee how refreshing and unpredictable. More Conga, less conversation, please.
As for the performers and the music, most of it was as diverse and beautiful as the athletes. Jimmy Barnes and the nearly 90 year old Slim Dusty, it doesn't get much better than that. How I missed being there and seeing it all in person.
As for Quantas allowing "I Still Call Australia Home" to be used only in its commercials, talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
The only downside I can see is that if you think you had tourists before, wait until this summer. My advice, give up that hard and hard won writing and producing career and get yourself a postcard stand. You'll make a fortune. Love ya, Rod.
ROULON GARDNER
Hi Rod, Well, the games are over. In my opinion, the best "Olympic moment" was Roulon Gardner's win in Greco-Roman wrestling. Now........back to work - you've only got 4 years to work on perfecting your spectator skills. Love, Ann
Dear Ann, Gardner's win was certainly a highlight of the games. His farm-like boyishness, pleasant personality and the abstemious way he wrestled made him a champ in every way. Luv, Rod
IN SEARCH OF EROS
I "found" you in 1967. I loved every thing you did and everything that was about you. I scurried to find every poem book and every record. I had them all. My favorite records were The Sea series with Anita Kerr. Then I discovered "In Search of Eros". My heart melted and I listened every day.
Time has passed. I married and became a mother and now a grandmother. Throughout the years I lost all the records and most poem books. I suppose they were left in a box somewhere in a moving truck. I am now 51years old and have re-discovered you all over again. It's all fresh and new. However I cannot find anywhere " In Search of Eros". I will continue working and searching for all that I once had. I want to thank you for being you and for loving me......even if only in my mind. Love, Kathleen
Dear Kathleen, Alas "In Search of Eros" hasn't yet made it to CD and while the tape has sold out, there are a few {less than ten) of the original LP's left at Stanyan By Mail, it contains the famous Rodan's The Lovers cover. For some reason "In Search of Eros" has gained an enviably sapid reputation over the years that has resulted in the various versions of it becoming highly collectable. I wish I had one of each. With affection, Rod
A SURVIVORS STORY
In the late 60's, I was a young, single Mom living in Atlanta. Having barely survived a childhood of abuse and pain, it seemed that my guardian angel had slipped and fallen somewhere and that my child and I were alone in a strange and hostile world. And then one day I read one of your poems. Your words sustained me and fed and nourished my
neglected heart.
Your books on my nightstand gave me the courage to face another day; I read them over and over like a prayer book. When I was too poor to buy a new book when it came out, I would go to the bookstore on my lunch hour and copy it into a notebook so that by the time I could afford the book, I knew it by heart.
I just tonight discovered your web site. Thank you again for all you have done. Your words and your music have filled my life with beauty and joy.
In honor of those of us who survived our abusive childhood's and in memory of those who did not, I continue to work with crime victims and adult survivors try to share with them the truths that I know and many of those I learned from you.
Just last week, I told a group that "It is not important who you love, but that you love." And I told them, the oldest of whom was probably 30, that those words were from a very
important poet of my younger days. I am so glad that I have found you once again! Brenda Turner
Dear Brenda, It sounds like you are doing very important work. Few people realize how much baggage adult survivors of child abuse refuse to part with. Even the former victims themselves are often unaware of the predicament and thus unable to rectify it. Alas some of us carry around the schwarmerei of childhood forever. Some victims of crime never get the attention they might need to set them on their way to recovery.
Because you've become involved, you know that sometimes all anyone needs in the way of help is someone to listen. Please don't stop what you're doing, there are too few people willing to take on this often-thankless job.
It thrills me to know that along the way I might have inspired you in some small way. Your letter pleased me a lot. With warmest regards, Rod
THANK YOU, THE SONG
Dear Rod, Could you print the lyrics to your song "Thank You." I really like it. And, where can I find a recording of it?
How did you come to write it? Kindest regards, Lynda
Dear Rod, Thank you for Thank You, the song. Not only do I like the simplicity of the lyric, but also it has a very beautiful melody. To me it's one of those songs destined to become a standard in years to come Geoff Chapman.
Dear Linda and Geoff, "Thank You" is on one of my favorite CD's "After Midnight" and the legendary Greta Keller did a lovely version of it on the LP "Evening in Vienna". Of course it will be one of the selections on the forthcoming "Complete RCA
Sessions", since it first appeared in my RCA album "The Loner."
It was written in Amsterdam in 1965 and is a flat out description of a day spent with someone I was very infatuated with at the time. Like "These Foolish Things," it relies more on bricolage than lofty poetic metaphors. With affection, Rod
THANK YOU
Words and music by Rod McKuen
All the taxi horns
Have sounded their retreat
The wind is down to nothing
But a whisper in the street.
And now as you lie sleeping I'll take
A moment just to tell you
All the things I never say
When you're awake.
Thank You for the raspberries this morning
And Thank You for the orange marmalade.
And last night let me say
When you might have gone away
Thank You very much because you stayed.
Thank You for another sunny morning
Even though the sky was full of clouds.
And Thank You for the way
You held me yesterday
And steered me through the noisy Paris crowds.
I can't look ahead to the future
And I'm too old to run home to the past
So now while you sleep here beside me
I'll do what I can to make the moment last.
Thank You for another special morning
And Thank You for an even better day.
And Thank You in advance
If there's even half a chance you'll stay,
One more morning. One more day.
AT LAST
All year we get the nominations, finally tomorrow, on Pass It Along, we'll announce the winner of the not so coveted Darwin Award. And what, some of you might ask, is The Darwin Award?
It's an annual honor given to the person who provided the universal human gene pool the biggest service by getting killed in the most extraordinarily stupid way. See you then, meanwhile sleep warm.
RM 10/2/2000 Previously unpublished
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