Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Some folks are born to wave the flag, Ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief", Ooh, 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, Yeah!
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand, Lord, don't they help themselves, oh.
But when the taxman comes to the door, Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no. It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no.
Some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord, And when you ask them, "How much should we give?" Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! yoh,
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
The language of the song that stood out to me the most was:
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.
To me, this indicates that the only fortunate or lucky ones in the war are the soldiers who can get themselves out of the army or out of the military by having special relations with people inside the government.
I feel like this song does not support the war in a way that promotes the beneficial aspects of war, but I also do not feel that this attacks the negative aspects of war either. This song explains how soldiers who are drafted and have some connection within the government or who are rich can get out of participating in the war. If anything, this attacks the process of recruiting soldiers into the war and how the system is corrupt, but I do not feel this is attacking war itself.
The Truman Doctrine foreign policy states that the United States should support other nations that are threatened by outside forces, mainly communism. The song has no relation to the foreign policy, because it focuses more on the soldiers in the war rather than the war itself. This song only reveals how social class and connections play a huge role with the draft. This makes me wonder as to what extent parents and friends and relatives will reach just to ensure their loved one does not get sent off to war. I would have assumed it would be an honor to serve for this country, but these actions are just human instinct for protection and survival. People are using their social class and acquaintances to their advantage which, in a sense, we all wish we could. Although these actions may be frowned upon, I feel like we all would explore this route if we had this option.
This song shows how war impacts society because some families have an unfair advantage therefore they are able to have their children not sent off to war. This impacts society because if the upper class and rich citizens do not have to fight in the war, then the main population of soldiers are lower class and middle class citizens. If we are going to represent America, then we should include all and every ethnic group, social class, gender, and age. We are bribing, and fighting our own citizens in order to receive what we feel is destined. How can America fight as one country when the battle has already begun on our own territory?
I do not know what there is to agree or disagree with this song, for if this was an opinion, I would take a stand, but I feel this song only speaks the truth, therefore I must accept this as a fact, as reality, and as history of our past. I do frown upon the actions taken by Americans to try and get out of fighting, for I think every citizen should take advantage of the opportunity to serve this country. This is the chance to experience a form of life so foreign to this culture in America and to receive a deeper understanding of survival and how life can be appreciated at all levels.