ASK ROD |
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Another beautiful day here in
California and one that reminds us that Jack Lord, who died earlier this year, would have
celebrated his 78th birthday on this date. Here some more questions and answers from the
mailbox. THE FRENCH CONNECTION
I heard you singing a song in French but I cannot find
the title and when I called the station they "had thrown out their log for that
day". Help I have a beautiful French daughter-in-law that I was trying to surprise
for Christmas. Thank you, Sincerely Beverly Morgan.
Dear Beverly, Without a title it’s kind of hard to figure out which song you might
have heard. There are currently two CD’s available in the United States where I sing
some songs in French, "The French Connection" & " McKuen Sings the
Brel/McKuen Songbook." A third, "La Mer" is a French translation of
"The Sea", a work I did with Anita Kerr it is spoken by Marc Ogeret. Sorry I
didn’t get back to you before Christmas, but hope this helps. Rod
SEARCHING
HI, I am looking for a song or poem title
"searching" I think .It's about a man that is never satisfied and always looking
for something else. Thanks BLQ45
Dear BLQ, That theme would probably cover a quarter of the poems and at least 10% of the
songs I’ve written. However, I don’t remember having done anything with that
specific title. Thanks for asking though, Rod.
MORE VIETNAM
Rod, like many of us, I found you in Viet Nam. Sometime
after that, I lost you somewhere, and lost some of myself also. Happens, I guess. Memories
are a fretful thing, sometimes, and often in the shower, I only remember half the words of
the songs that helped my soul in those dark times. Pisses me off. Anyhow, from one gray
hair to another, good to find you again, old friend. (Found myself also, so the universe
progresses, as it should). Thanks for the piece of your heart you gave us all. Doesn't
matter if it was worth it, does it.... Welcome back. Michael
Michael, those sent to fight and die in that war were told by their government that they
were defending Democracy and their country. And, they believed it. To you and the others
it did and does matter. Decorations don’t make heroes but deed and dedication to
purpose do. Those of us who didn’t agree with the US policy toward Vietnam always
believed in the men and women sent there to carry it out. Rod
Dear Rod, I wonder if you were aware that during the Vietnam War you were known to
many of us who served there as "Uncle Rod." It was because of all the packages
of books and records and cassettes you sent us. I hope you know how much that kind of mail
from home was appreciated. Your books were passed from hand to hand with many of us
keeping them to reread when things got rough. Those of us who made it home still love you.
Paul Overman
Dear Paul, I love and am proud of the name, but I know I wasn’t the only
"Uncle" who prayed and worried over all of you. Rod
Hey ol' Buddy, I lost you back in the 70's and all of a
sudden you show up on the world vision center. I took you to Viet Nam and made it back. No
one has the heart and compassion that you have shown the world. Welcome to my world. When
will we see or hear from you with new albums or show special? I am in the middle of
nowhere here in Nebraska; I grew up in northern Calif. and had the pleasure of your
presence in Chico State at your concert in 68 or 69 not sure, such a long time ago. Please
reply when you can, Loren C. Roper
Dear Loren. A book is on the way, maybe even more than one. New recordings are in the
works too and I hope to have an album completed by the spring. Meanwhile I’m working
on re-mastering even more of the older works for compact discs. As to concerts, if they
book me I will come. Rod
To Michael, Paul & Loren, We all made it back from our demon places and I’m
honored to be in the same space as each of you.
SOLDIERS WHO WANT TO BE HEROES
Dear Mr. McKuen, Can you provide us the lyrics to the
song: Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes. The song spins through my mind for years and years
now, but most likely with wrong words. I really appreciate it, couldn't find it on the
Internet. Thank you very much! Merry Christmas and a good 1999. Annemarie van Loo, The
Netherlands
Dear Annemarie, Way back in ‘the 70’s Soldiers Who Want To Be Hero’s was my
first #1 single in Holland and on the continent. No one could have been more surprised
than I was, especially since many radio stations in the US banned an earlier version of it
by The Gateway Singers. Here are the words:
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
-written in 1965, first published, 1967
In this season of relative peace, Annemarie, it’s always good to remember the times
that brought us here. I miss The Netherlands so for you and my other friends in Holland,
I’ve chosen "The Snows of Amsterdam" for today’s poem.
- RM 12/29/98 |
