1. For this assignment you will be listening to four popular songs of the Vietnam War era.  To hear the songs go the Assignment Area and click “View/Complete Assignment 9.04 – Music that Defined a Generation”.  The files for these songs are attached there.  Click on each file and it should open in Windows Media Player.  Copy and paste the song review charts from below into a Word document.  Listen to each song (reading along with the lyrics below) and complete the song review chart for each song. 
2. Write a song illustrating how you feel about the current war in Iraq (support or oppose).  It does not have to be long but should strive to encourage people support/opposition of the war.  You can choose to make your point as strongly as you want just make sure to keep your lyrics clean and appropriate for school.  You will simply add this to the Word Document containing your song evaluation charts.
3. Finally, recreate the following chart at the end of your Word document and fill in the information requested.

Opposing the War	Defending the War
Why did “doves” oppose the war?	By 1967 how did most Americans feel about U.S. involvement in Vietnam ?
In what ways did the “doves” show their oppositions to the war?	Why did “hawks” criticize the Johnson administration’s policies in Vietnam ?

4. Once you have completed all parts of the assignment go to the Assignment Area and click on “View/Complete Assignment 9.04 - Music that Defined a Generation”.  Attach your completed Word Document and click “Submit”.

The Green Berets -- Sgt. Barry Sadler – Scenario – A very popular record in the early days of the war that has taken a lot of flack over the years.  This pop radio hit was a pro-war song written by Sergeant Barry Sadler and Robin Moore.  Written in 1966, it glorified the Green Berets.  The ballad tells the story of a Green Beret who dies in the war.  His last request is that his son will wear the silver wings and become a Green Beret.  There is nothing wrong with the bravery and dedication expressed in the song. It's just sad that the way the war was run caused the song to be made fun of. Strangely no one would think to criticize the dedication and bravery promoted in this song now days. They are a great asset in our 21st Century war against terrorism.

Fighting soldiers from the sky, fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say, the brave men of 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

Trained to live off nature's land, trained in combat hand to hand
Men who fight by night and day, charistic(?) from 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

Back at home a young wife waits, her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed, leaving her this 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

The Unknown Soldier Lyrics – The Doors – Scenario – An obvious Vietnam era song as it discusses the fact that Vietnam was a "television war". But the song could belong to any war. It's about the terrible death of any soldier. But the song is still a mystery.  Jim Morrison and the Doors developed this song at the height of the Vietnam War in 1967.  While the word Vietnam does not appear in the lyrics, the sounds include military drums and commands and a rifle firing. If the song is solely about death on the battlefield, then why is there the "firing squad" section in the middle of the song? The song's video shows the Doors near the ocean where they tie Jim Morrison to a post. He is executed by an unseen firing squad. Not a pretty scene when he spits up blood and hangs down dead still tied to the post.)

Wait until the war is over
And we're both a little older.
The unknown soldier.

Breakfast where the news is read.
Television children fed.
Unborn living. Living dead.
Bullet strikes the helmet's head

And it's all over
For the unknown soldier.
It's all over
For the unknown soldier.

*army marching sounds*
*gun firing*

Make a grave for the unknown soldier
Nestled in your hollow shoulder.
The unknown soldier.

Breakfast where the news is read.
Television children fed.

Bullet strikes the helmet's head

And, it's all over.
The war is over.
It's all over.
The war is over.
Well, all over, baby.
All over, baby.
Oh, over, yeah.
All over, baby.

What's Going On Lyrics – Marvin Gaye – Scenario – A big hit of the early 1970’s was Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On”, recorded for Motown.  The song expresses many of the feelings of the antiwar movement, pleading for peace and understanding rather than brutality and war.  Many of America ’s youth sang lines like “War is not the answer” right along with Marvin Gaye in the 1970’s.

 Keep in mind that an inordinate percentage of the casualties in Vietnam were minorities, especially African Americans, which led many critics to refer to the war as a “blue collar” war.

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya

Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

Right on baby

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby

THE FIGHTIN' SIDE OF ME - Merle Haggard – Scenario – (Top Chart Position: #1 on February 7, 1970) This is the country side of the situation. Historically country music has been more conservative and patriotic. However, many people other than country fans rallied behind this song. It symbolized the most basic opinion that many Americans were tired of being criticized for trying to keep others free. They also were tired of some celebrities who went to Vietnam and appeared to join the enemy (Remember Hanoi Jane?). They felt there was a difference between not supporting the war and criticizing basic American values. I always interpreted this song to be more "Pro-American" than "Pro-Vietnam War", but it was written as a reaction to anti Vietnam War protestors.)

I hear people talkin' bad, 
About the way we have to live here in this country, 
Harpin' on the wars we fight, 
An' gripin' 'bout the way things oughta be. 

An' I don't mind 'em switchin' sides, 
An' standin' up for things they believe in. 
When they're runnin' down my country, man, 
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me. 

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me. 
Runnin' down the way of life, 
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep. 
If you don't love it, leave it: 
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

I read about some squirrely guy,
Who claims, he just don't believe in fightin'.
An' I wonder just how long,
The rest of us can count on bein' free.
They love our milk an' honey,
But they preach about some other way of livin'.
When they're runnin' down my country, hoss, 
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.