I Was Only 19 - Redgum
A time capsule piece by Elias Shoosmith
“I Was Only 19” by Redgum is an iconic Australian song about war. The song has become an Aussie Anthem because of its originality, power, and the underlying political message.
“I Was Only 19” reflects the traumatising, confronting experiences that Veterans from the Vietnam Conflict suffered. The song is a moving tribute to those Australian personnel who served from 1962- 1974. The political message is challenging and difficult to listen to because of the way that the writer John Schumann has expressed a first person account throughout the song; he has written the narrative with a great sense of honesty and truth about how our very own war Veterans felt and still feel to this day. The songs story begins before the war and then moves on to during the war and finishes by describing the post- war trauma and pain suffered by Australian servicemen. When the Vietnam Veterans returned home they were not met with a welcome home parade like their fathers or grandfathers who served in WW1 or WW2 but rather they were spat on, disrespected and, worst of all their service was not even recognized as service. (https://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/vietnam-veteran-i-was-spat-on-called-a-child-kille/3170437/ Fraser coast Chronicle by BLAKE ANTROBUS 25th Apr 2017)
Single Cover
Aussie Soldiers
Album Cover
“I Was Only 19” was released in 1983, 11 after the Vietnam conflict had ended for Australia but it manages to effectively capture the raw feeling and damaged condition suffered by the surviving veterans of the Vietnam conflict. Although written about a nonfictional soldier, Private Michael Storen (Mike Storen), the song manages to capture the story of every Australian soldier’s involvement in the Vietnam conflict. The song begins at the passing out graduation parade after training - “Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal, it was a long March from cadets”. From the very start you can tell that there is a sense of fear that was already brewing in our soldiers before they even left. The men who shipped out were as young as 18 or 19, war was a very different experience to these men who were used to farming, working and living here in Australia so of course there was a sense of fear and trepidation leading up to and during the war. Returning home they were fearful in their relief to be away from the war of how they would be received by their families and their local community.
A Walk in The Light Green
The alternative name also evokes this fear: “A Walk In The Light Green” refers to a region on a topographical map, marked in light green, where soldiers feared walking through due to there being very little vegetation; the light green was a perfect place for mines and ambushes with nowhere to take cover. The title of the song doesn't just flag the sense of fear, but the lyrics also refer to the whole Vietnam conflict being terrifying and scary for Australian soldiers. One lyric, for instance, states that “The sixth battalion was the next to tour and it was me who drew the card” and, whilst many believe that this song touches on conscription, it's not true. Mick Storen wanted to join the army so he applied, got accepted, and started training, but shortly into training the 6th battalion put out a call for volunteers and Mick knew it would get him overseas and fighting a lot quicker than waiting to finish training. To decide who would go and who wouldn't they took a pack of cards and pulled them one at a time out of the deck. Mick drew the highest card and was shipped off to Townsville. One year later he boarded the HMAS Sydney
( Pictured below) bound for Vietnam.
LOCATIONS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE
Mentioning specific local landmarks in the song including HMAS Sydney is critical as the names and places are familiar. For example, the ship travelled between Vung Tau and Australia earning its nickname as the Vung Tau Ferry. For Sydney’s crew, the trip was to establish routines for a logistic task, and to gain an understanding of the risks facing their ship in hostile waters. In the years to come, the run to Vung Tau and back became an increasingly speedy and smooth operation as the trip was repeated several times. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs website states “In its role as the ‘Vung Tau Ferry’, HMAS Sydney brought together men from two distinct cultures: the army and the navy. In the days before she sailed from Australia, Sydney would be loaded with soldiers and their equipment. Crew members would be detailed to act as ‘sea daddies’ to groups of soldiers, helping them to get their bearings on board ship, showing them where to keep their gear and how to sling their hammocks.” Mick Storen would have been kept under the watch of one of these “Sea Daddies”. (https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/history/conflicts/australia-and-vietnam-war/australia-and-vietnam-war/royal-australian-navy/vung-tau Interview 6 John O'Callaghan Australians at War Film Archive, Interview No.0673)
Vung Tau Ferry return trip
Preparing to head for home; 3RAR troops on the deck of the Vung Tau ferry, c. November 1968.
Fitness
Army personnel undergo physical training exercises on board HMAS Sydney en route to Vietnam, c. June 1965.
Departure
The Writer and lead singer of Redgum
John Schumann once said in an interview “I didn't think for a moment that this song was going to be as influential and as life changing as it has been.”
There are three main ideas the author raises in this text;
· First, ownership of the song is an important feature of "I Was Only 19". The protagonist can be seen as young and blameless. Repetition of the song's title throughout has been used to encourage listeners to understand the story being told is a metaphor for how young, naive, and scared they were.
· Second, power – specifically lack of power – is a significant issue explored in this song through the use of emotional language which emphasises youth and naivety. For example, the subject mentions "Mum and dad", newspaper clippings of "young and strong and clean" servicemen, and a "rash that comes and goes", but he has no idea what this means.
Vietnam Veteran
Vietnam Veteran's Association of Australia State President Richard Williams.
Power
Conscription
The draw was done from a barrel filled with 181 numbered marbles representing the days of the year from January 1 to June 30. Alternate lotteries would have 184 balls for the dates of the rest of the year.
Thoughts?
Overall, my perspective as a modern listener encourages a sympathetic response to the predicament described in the song which includes “wearing a slouch hat...drinking tinnies (can of beer)...Mud and blood and tears”. In my opinion, from this song we see a more accurate and realistic portrayal of the Anzac Legend.
However when ideas, or lyrics in this case are challenged in a global perspective it can be seen that the line “Frankie kicked a mine that day that mankind kicked the moon” is significant in the way that the writer draws the contrast between the great achievement of mankind landing on the moon, and the brutality and pointlessness of war.
Conclusion
When I began this Investigation I was under the impression that “I Was Only 19” was just a song about one man’s experience in the Vietnam conflict. From my own background experience of visiting veterans in RSL communities, I understood that a largely sanitized version was relayed to children in order to protect them from hearing gruesome details. From my own family I never heard any stories of the War partly because my Great Uncle died in Vietnam, but mainly because it was too painful to discuss; I have also learnt that this silence is a common experience for many Veterans and their families.
My research encouraged a greater understanding of the mis-treatment that our Vietnam Veterans have experienced.Their suffering through PTSD, watching their friends die, and the lack of community acceptance on their return, caused me to re-evaluate my assumptions and my opinion on the Vietnam conflict. In particular the repetition of the line “God help me, I was only 19” has challenged my notion of morality especially as I am Christian and, in my family, “God help me” is said in times of need and struggle.
On a fundamental level I have learnt that - due to physiological deprivation - basic human needs were not met for our soldiers, and desperation set in.
My research makes me question whether there is need for any developed or powerful country to wage war. In particular I am very sympathetic to Nashos (National Service men) as they were victims of a political system; I now believe that morality has no bearing in war.
I am left wondering...
Can we even begin to question why our Veterans are suffering?
Reference and Sources.
Alpha History.12/04/2017.
Australian Department of Defense.
Double J Radio 10/ 11/2016
Australian Broadcasting Commission.
The Sydney Morning Herald 21/04/2018
https://www.wattpad.com/249284534-remember-the-anzac%27s-authors-note
Leah Jade ( Also Known As) Khaotic Angel. 06/05/2012.
McCabe, Kathy.18/04/2015
News.com.au
https://wwwmcc.murdoch.edu.au/ReadingRoom/film/1980s.html
O'Regan, Tom.
26/10 /1995 new 28/04/2018
Pfennigwerth, Stephanie 16/07/2013.
Museum of Australian Democracy - Old Parliament House.
Williams, Michael. 11/11/2018
Australian Broadcasting Commission.