Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Although Memorial Day isn’t Veterans Day, I can’t help but think of my father on this day. He was a medic in the Vietnam War and I’m sure Memorial Day has a different meaning for him. What the war did to him; what war does to people, is unconscionable.
In the context of CCR, my father wasn’t a fortunate son and neither am I. I am fortunate to have a father that has taught me a lot. Just as he was fortunate to have a magnificent father, albeit one of average means. He is a tremendous human being and I hope to share some of his stories some day.
Some folks are born, made to wave the flag
Ooo, their red, white and blue
And when the band plays “Hail to the Chief”
Ooo, they point the cannon at you, Lord
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son, son
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate one, no
Some folks are born, silver spoon in hand
Lord, don’t they help themselves, y’all
But when the taxman comes to the door
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yeah
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no millionaire’s son, no, no
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate one, no
Yeah, yeah
Some folks inherit star spangled eyes
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask ’em, “How much should we give?”
Ooh, they only answer “More! More! More!”, y’all
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no military son, son
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate one, one
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate one, no, no, no
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate son, no, no, no
#MusicMonday #MemorialDay
May 26, 2014
My regards to you and your family, Chad. Wonderful song!
May 26, 2014
Thanks Rajini Rao and Peter Lindelauf. I think it will be a long and slow process to record my dad’s stories.
May 26, 2014
I read this and teared.
You are such a gift.
May 26, 2014
Thanks Brigitte W., I feel the same about you.
May 26, 2014
That was lovely.
May 26, 2014
Thanks Gita Jaisinghani now we just need some Bollywood music to start dancing in the streets.
May 26, 2014
Hehehehehhe that is unfortunately the way all holidays / festivals go here!
May 26, 2014
This is a lovely tribute Chad Haney ~ I look forward to hearing your father’s stories someday.
May 26, 2014
Thanks Mara Rose. I have to write down the ones that I know and encourage him to write down the others. I don’t want to push as I’m sure some stories are too painful. I’m happy with whatever he wants to share.
May 26, 2014
I understand Chad Haney ~ Both my parents are gone, and there is so much I wish I knew.
May 26, 2014
I’m sorry to hear that Mara Rose
May 26, 2014
Thanks Chad Haney ~ My father was a practicing physician in Honolulu during WW II and watched the attack on Pearl Harbor. He never said much about it, except that he treated a civilian casualty.
May 26, 2014
Did you grow up in Hawaii, Mara Rose ? I love Hawaii. I’d live there if I could find a research job.
May 26, 2014
Sadly, no. My parents lived there and met there. After they married, they moved to the mainland. They retired to Hawaii, however. I’ve spent a lot of time in Hawaii and I love it.
I think you would love Hawaii, and if you are interested, maybe keep an eye out for a position. (No snow :-).
May 26, 2014
There’s snow in the mountains. I have friends there and my wife and I enjoy vacationing in Hawaii. I love the culture there.
May 26, 2014
Yes, the culture is what makes Hawaii so very special and unique.
May 27, 2014
Brittany Ewald I don’t know the east coast enough to say I would move there from Hawaii. How long were you in Hawaii?
May 28, 2014
I agree Brittany Ewald. I love having four seasons. I’d like to have a condo in Hawaii when I retire. I love the culture there, the food, the people, and especially the snorkeling.
June 5, 2014
Great song! Thank you for posting!
June 5, 2014
I can’t help but think of my uncle that served as an infantry man in Vietnam. I know how how you feel.
July 26, 2014
I just missed the Vietnam war. Had a lottery number in the low 100s and was sure to go into the service. Luckily it was ’72 and Nixon cancelled the draft. i had so many friends who not only served but volunteered to serve who came back completely changed. Now 40+ years later they’re dying from that damn war! I lost one of my best friends to suicide because he couldn’t stand the dreams any more. Yet those who still clamor for war with no honor never served.
July 26, 2014
XOkie when the Gulf War started, I told my dad that if I were drafted (assuming they would restart the draft for the sake of argument), I would have gone. I would have done what my father did and be a medic. It’s a shame that it has taken so long to acknowledge that PTSD exists. Sorry to hear about your friends.
July 26, 2014
War is idealized by those who don’t participate…
Grandfather was a war hero, and a hard core alcoholic
July 26, 2014
Janer Sulce the ones who talk or boast the most about war, are often phonies.
August 3, 2014
Chad Haney or they are mercenarys they have no rules and they think its some kind of sick game
August 18, 2014
Chad Haney An old latin poet used to say that only the dead have seen the end of war. And i guess it’s true. Even if you survive and go back home…the war is never really ended in your soul, heart and memories.
August 19, 2014
ShinXari
Plato, those guys said some very true things.
August 31, 2014
ShinXari that would be Plato….he was Greek
October 4, 2014
Fist in the air for your father. He sacrificed part of his life, and any one else who returned damaged or died in combat over the political situation in a foreign country; not one of them should have a medical issue go uncovered. Vietnam veterans don’t get the respect they deserve. They answered the call. Then they returned and were not given hero welcomes. I think this generation appreciates them more their own and prior generation.
December 13, 2014
I like 99% of the population are too coward to join the military…but I cannot express how grateful I am to those 1%
December 13, 2014
The main problem about wars is that they are waged mainly for gaining resources and territories. Elements which, if humans were a more mature and advanced race, would be distributed in a logical and wise manner. Unfortunately we are neither logical or wise… and so we end wasting in war the same resources….or even more, that we could obtain using peaceful ways. Maybe our lifespan is too short to understand it… at every generation i fell we are like computers always “resetting” themselves. And so we commit the same mistakes over and over…and over.
December 13, 2014
As long as there if ignorance and greed, there will be fighting of some sort.
December 21, 2014
ShinXari Like fleas arguing over who owns the dog.