Lucky Forward was my way to document one soldier’s life. I recently heard a song in a similar vein called Debt Of Honor. It got me curious about other story songs about ww2…not the background music you might hear in Private Ryan, but real life personal tributes. In an effort to see what other song writers have written about their family experiences, I went on a web search for songs about ww2 or world war two songs. No surprise I only found all the hit songs that carried the troops and our country through. No complaints! I had fun taking a stroll through the big band sound, the amazing pure vocals recorded in a non digital age and the lyrics, simple and innocent and even downright corny at times. Made me wonder if anytime soon some really creative musicians will bring back the big band sound.
But I digress. Many current books document the human experience during the war and the heart wrenching and inspirational journeys in the aftermath. Where are the story songs about ww2, about how life carried on. Lucky Forward is one man’s story. Some Pain was written after reading the book Those Who Save Us about a young German girl’s survival. And I recently finished a new song about my father in laws return home into the arms of his waiting bride.
Re-entry in civilian life long before PTSD was even a word, carrying emotional burdens without professional support, makes me wonder how any of these soldiers went on to live a “normal” life again. Thus the line in Lucky Forward –
Where ordinary boys became heroic men
Then home to lives that would never be
Ordinary again
The physical and emotional scars were woven into the fabric of their being. And very few of the Great Generation are left. They are our fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers. Capture their essence now! How do you feel the war touched their life and how did they touch your life! My songs about ww2 are my way of sharing a personal story to anyone who will listen. If you know of songs about ww2, let me know. I will contact the artist. Or perhaps you have a song, a poem, a short story, or picture that is worth a thousand words. Here’s to sharing!
Lucky Forward everyone.