Warren Zevon - Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner

[Dubhlais]

I dearly love Warren's Music and this is surely one of his most memorable and wonderful songs.

[hiptowaist]

Yes, to all the solders of fortune a great song.

[danpat0420]

connected through a thing not understood the warrior waits car washing shopping trips "hold your purse" people no (know) a swell tide reality falls away and again it is real the man child is raised for this unrequited disdained neccassary

[ColonelHalicon]

Great Warren song.

[Pufdaddie]

excuses, excuses

[Pufdaddie]

I'm sure the 100 comrades living off the 5m feel the same

[PleiadesSeven]

This song is so satisfyin lyrically and with the rhythm of consonants and heavy drum back beat march.

"That son-of-a-bitch Van Owen blew off Roland's Head"

He has a staccato here which makes you feel in the fray.

"He blew out Van Owen's body from here to Johannesburg."

And the end verse, which is both prophecy and revelation,

"Patty Hearst, Heard the burst of Roland's Thompson Gun and bought it."

chilling.

[Pufdaddie]

long live the RLI, Selous Scouts and Rhodie SAS...plus RAR!!!!!

[BABGESS]

Rhodies! Best men that ever there were. Real white men of Africa. May the UN pay for their deeds one day

[Katyusha75]

Babitjie,Where they are real pink men of Africa today, defeated and scattered all over the world, history taught us that the British Empire never won a single war they are losers for ever. they have shown battle weakness in Iraq and Afghnistan, the last British mercenary was recently arrested try to overthrown a legitimate democratic government ,Mugabe arrested him and handed him over now jailed for + 30 yrs. You are all useless blood suckers gooks, you time are over.

[Pufdaddie]

lol

[wedgie777]

lol.. zimbabwe might not be the best example when talking of a legitimate democratic government.. just saying..

[glibsporass]

you nailed it right on!!

[BABGESS]

HAAHAHA! You a sad terrorist....Firstly I don't care about the British.

Secondly,due to God and Mugabe AIDS, TB, Cholera and Crime are all killing you Kaffirs off and you all too stupid to see it.

So you can say what you want about the pink man, in 10 years time we will be back so you can practise calling me BAAS! come on say it... J-A B-A-A-S!

Do you know the meaning of GOOK by the way genius?

[Katyusha75]

ok baas ek verstaan mnr babgess.

[Wulkenstein]

He was on the side of the Congo. The enemy of Rhodesia in the Bush Wars.

[simontheboy]

Great tune and an excellent precis of the fight, but dedicated to? I thought we were talking merceneries for the best part. Please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.

[timespinner88]

As an Amercian who joined the Rhodesia Light Infantry in 79 we were not merceneries. We were part of the regular Rhodesia Army. That was something the press called us. It was a war against Marxism. It you think we were wrong look what Marxism and majority black rule has done to the country.

[MtKtMndu]

Wait, you fought the bush wars?

[timespinner88]

Yes, was in the RLI 3rd Commando most of the guys who came to Rhodesia from other countries were in this unit.

[simontheboy]

Thank you, Whilst we may have some idealogical differences I agree the country has some major problems (look at Zimbabwe now), I do appreciate and respect your response and beliefs. It is also nice to hear an opinion by someone who who was there and not just the dreadfully biased view the media is prone to report. As an English descendant Australian I would be a hypocrite to claim that we should not take land from another people. Thanks - Simon

[timespinner88]

Thanks, Simon I was surprised when my son who is 22 now showed me the stuff on YouTube. I thought this was a forgotten piece of history.

[MtKtMndu]

I've thought about "volunteer work" in Darfur, or Sri Lanka, myself. College comes first...

[36clashfan77]

Roland was son the side of the "Marxists", he was not with Rhodesia that why the CIA wanted him dead. he was fighting for the Africans agai8nsta corrupt racist government of ian smith... look at the other places he fought..Ireland against the British. he was fighting for the small guys. A

[MtKtMndu]

He was actually fighting in the Congo Crisis of the '60s.

[davwar73]

He was a mercenary, fighting where mercenaries were employed.

[Bahiyya23]

Oh bullshit. I suppose it was fine when the whites flourished on stolen land while the black africans lived on the poorest land and Ian Smith slaughtered them in the thousands in order to impose white rule. Or perhaps the USA would like to be invaded and have, say, Arabs ruling their land because they voted for the idiot Bush twice and helped to destabalize the GLOBE. Clearly, Americans don't know how to govern themselves! *eye roll*

[timespinner88]

Yes Black Majority rule has lead to a Great Marxist Paradise in Zimbabwe. Mugabe and his henchman have done Africa a great service!

At least the native Africans had enough to eat when Ian Smith was in charge.

[MtKtMndu]

Damn right! Rhodesia wasn't perfect, but it's better than communism! I'm really tempted to fight the marxists in Zimbabwe and Laos...

[Bahiyya23]

What the Africans didn't have enough to eat BEFORE the colonialists came and stole their land? If the British hadn't stolen the land from the indigenous Africans, killed and oppressed them a leader like Mugabe could not exist now. He is partly able to tell lies about an evil Western government NOW because of Britain's shameful colonial past and the Western media's selective reporting on African regimes ie condemning Mugabe while ignoring other dictators who welcome foreign govt. exploitation.

[MtKtMndu]

Apparently not, since Arabs WILL run the country with Obama...

[Katyusha75]

Bahiyya, my heart is with you,Ian Smit was murder,a dictator,he died as lonely man,today he rotten in hell together with Hitler,and PW the stanic pig Botha.

[Bahiyya23]

Exactly, but no one went after him the way they went after Hitler. And they wonder why so many Africans don't trust them? Honestly, these folks would do well to stop gorging on gossip about Britney Spears and pick up a history book. (Or even read The Economist or the London Review of Books. They are two of the few international publications that focus on the less trendy African countries and reveal Western political hypocrisy.)

[BABGESS]

They may be in hell but at least they there with Joe Slovo Stalin and Oliver Tambo......mandela will be there soon to join them

[kronus3rd]

So which side was Roland on?

[biggrigga]

the fucked up side

[parkinsouth]

the side that lost him..lol idk

[Rhodie1979]

By my understanding Biafra was actually the Nigerian Civil War, Biafra broke from Nigeria due to their treatment by the 'Government', followed by Congo, as the CIA wished him dead I would assume he was on the side of Tshombe, who disliked Communists! But I may be wrong!

[kamen20210]

ok this song is by a very very good dead musician SHOW SOME RESPECT!

[Harry44Callahan2]

Wow, I've heard this song before but didn't listen to the lyrics well enough. a damn shame what happened in Rhodesia and South Africa thereafter.

[kronus3rd]

Why did the CIA want him dead? Weren't they the ones funding the mercs?

[HeWhoHatesCats]

He was too good and too dangerous.

[johnnny5555]

thank you for posting this

[pancakeowl]

I miss warren zeevon.. He is great.

[Yattutroll]

FN FAL, FUCK YEAH!

[rebelskull18]

FUCK YEAH FN FAL!! my favorite battle rifle of all time. The right hand of the free world.

[Yattutroll]

It's so cute, with its carrying handle and all :3

[cainjake38]

Lets stop with terrible USA needs to be the world police crap. Yes there is war and bad things all over the world but how could any resonable person think it is all our responsiblity. We go to Iraq, people bitch. If we would have help out in Africa many years ago its the same type of people that would be bitchin. Glade your hindsight is 20/20.

[mattkri]

They're still fighting in Congo today!

[music4realz]

This A Amazing Song. The Song Really Touches Me Deep Inside. But What The Worst Part Is... Is That We Didn't Do Anything To Try To Stop It. They Said War And We Just Said Fine.

[Egg573]

We're doing the same thing now. Africa is a fucking mess, so are a lot of other places, and we just stand by.

[205gtist170]

Read 'Scribbling the Cat', I hate reading but that book is amazing. The worst war ever....nothing good came of it and the people who fought are scared forever.....including my parents, makes me so sad.

[cassidy109]

Hey great video and even better song. Anybody know where I can get some decent books about this conflict? I'd really like to know more.

[themaninme]

whats that shit about palastine at the end... ?

[crazychikn]

Patty Hearst

The granddaughter of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst she gained notoriety in 1974 when, following her kidnapping by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), she ultimately joined her captors in furthering their cause. Apprehended after having taken part in a bank robbery with other SLA members, Hearst was imprisoned for almost two years before her sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter. She was later granted a presidential pardon by President Bill Clinton.

[9893low]

i'm just wondering why did jimmy carter commute her sentence and bill clinton give her a pardon?

[Longstick556]

Because Democrats are friendly with terrorists.

[Yattutroll]

Well Rahm Emmanuel's daddy was a terrorist :)

[gregorianchantman]

No their not you deuchbag

[HeWhoHatesCats]

And you ARE a moron

[myrmecia1977]

Actually HeWhoHatesCats I think that twat is more accurate description of the little oxygen fiend

[nahbro25]

Listen to the lyrics do some history reading: "The eternal Thompson gunner, still wandering through the night Now it's ten years later but he still keeps up the fight In Ireland, in Lebanon, in Palestine and Berkeley" What do these 4 have in common? Wiki: "Roland becomes the phantom "headless Thompson gunner" and eventually has his revenge on Van Owen, when he catches him "in a bar room drinking gin." After this Roland continues "wandering through the night" as a sort of revolutionary spirit."

[ProtoPaintBallz]

ass ass dame

[Blicera]

Wish I had been old enough to help Southern Rhodesia. The U.S. and Britania left her high and dry. A country whose farms fed Africa sits in poverty, sad, sad sad

[BullRun1861]

We could update the song, in Serbia, Croatia, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Sudan....insert the names. We all know them.

[Egg573]

It's true.

[Egg573]

Just picked up two excellent books on the conflict off of Amazon. Masodja and The Saints. Good reads, and they come with Frontline Rhodesia documentary DVD's. I can't recommend them enough to people interested in the conflict.

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

My Grandfather carried the Thompson. It's still one of the best guns ever made.

[ConservativeVoiceUSA]

5 Stars!

[Ricklawrence]

I was an M60 Gunner in Lebannon. OORah

[savin99]

rip warren

[panzertex]

I don't know who you are lad, but by God, when I hear a man speak words as you have here, I know there is a damned glimmer of hope within us! Bravo!

President Mugabe's literal order for Whites was,"Rape, Loot, and KILL!"

They did.There are no White women,or any life form who could ever'fantasize'what these White Women,& their noble kin in Rhodesia past were put through in sexual rape, mutilation,& agonizing cruelty!

Yes,the 3/5s President coming is more than capable of the horror..!

[microgolfoven]

wtf? There's nothing wrong with Obama, Mccain is the man who wil cause just more endless wars. But hey, you're propably just another ignorant hillbilly that hates everything that you belive is not-american.

[Slackykid123]

*nod*

[panzertex]

Oustanding! God bless all whom served, fought, and brought in a high 'Terr' count!

F*ck Mugabe!

[paramilitary20]

Solid and Egg, thanks. You answered the questions to the details the wikipedia page was missing. It's just a shame how a country like that is completely forgotten almost. NOTHING in the history books speak of it.

[tprdfh51]

paramilitary20 - fyi Solid and Egg can only teach you one thing, hatred for anything that is not white. Don't listen to their nonsense -they were not there fighting and participating as a good nation of both black and white was lost. There are many shoulders who carry the blame, Mugabe and ZANU PF certainly one of them - but they are not alone. Don't fall for Solid and Egg's racist crap. Cheers, from one who was there.

[Egg573]

WTF? So mentioning the efforts of the RhAR, BSAP, and the efforts they made makes me racist? Sure, I wasn't there; I wasn't born until the end of the conflict. If I had been alive, I probably would have tried to fight, the same way I volunteered and went to serve with the CF in Bosnia years ago and in Afghanistan last roto. I realize and stated that there were some problems in Rhodesia; and that many blacks fought for their country. Give it a re-read.

[tprdfh51]

Egg573 - I read it again and you are right. I apologise for lumping you in with the likes of Solid. I reread his infantile summary of Zimbabwean history from 3 weeks ago rotfl! 1962Satantookover - if you are not already, get some f'ing proffesional help dude - you are pathetic.

[solid775]

tprdfh51-You're a perfect example of the liberal jizz thats been spewed for over thirty years now,most of the world knows the truth ,all it takes is a little research its easy.Don't lay back and take what liberal teachers and professors feed you. 人总死

[tprdfh51]

Ok solid775 - I'm lazy, tell us what is the "truth" about Zimbabwe?

[solid775]

tprdfh51:Truth is nothing to be lazy with.wikipedia offers10,000 words about Zimbabwe and many details about Mugabes human rights abuses against blacks, but whites are victims of nothing more serious than eviction because of the controversial land redistribution of 2000. Likewise, the 11,400-word article about SA says nothing about the threats whites face or the authorities indifference to their murder and dispossession.Simple,if you put animals in charge of the zoo,you know therest

[Egg573]

What truly angers me is that local leaders look up to Mugabe and won't raise a finger over his policies. How blind do you have to be to see that a country that was once self sufficient and a local breadbasket has become a nightmare? Seriously, There have been interventions in Cote d'Ivory and Sierra Leonne, even Liberia. Why not Zimbabwe?

[Egg573]

While their internal policies were less than perfect, and their economy prior to sanctions very robust; Rhodesia was a victim of post-colonial zeal and intentional blindness on the part of the UK and USA. HAd Mugabe never come to power, or even had the first election not been overturned, Rhodesia might still exist as a robust local power, as opposed to the shambles that it has been reduced to as Zimbabwe. The Bush War's current treatment by historians is shameful at best.

[Egg573]

What's worse is that most modern scholars focus exclusively on the foreign troops serving in the Rhodesian military; and on the racial sub text of the conflict. They ignore the efforts of the Rhodesian African Rifles and BSAP (both of whom had large numbers of blacks serving), or the offers made by Ian Smith towards the end of the conflict, or how Mugabe overturned the first election held because he didn't win, or how he used his forces to do a little ethnic cleansing on the side.

[Egg573]

Thats not a bad summary. There were some racial issues in Rhodesia, made worse by the actions of africans in recently independent states around them. The problem was internally worsened by a lack of political power or even voting power in the black population. Mugabe had support from N.Korea and China; and even the african population knew that him being in charge would be a bad thing. The result was a brutal bush conflict that saw the world turn it's back on Rhodesia.

[solid775]

to paramilitary20,Prt3,Also Much like what we've all been fed over the years race has less to do about wars than MONEY they will use race to justify the emotion,we here in america have been force fed 30+ years of liberal dogma. don't buy into it!Rhodesia and South Africa sent thousands of troops to fight the Germans in WW2 and we returned the favor by ruining their countries. Remember Rhodesia was never defeated by thier enemies just betrayed by thier friends!

[solid775]

to paramilitary20 ,PRT 2, the USA being an ally of england laid many sanctions on Rhodesia.Also many tribes were starting to fight the Rhodesian Gov't with terrorist attacks in metro areas and rural farms, one tribe was led by a horrible man named Mugabe who was supported by the communists and secretly supported by england and the u.s.a., Rhodesia went in 20 years from being an upcomeing major world nation to what it is now(third world disaater area) please wikipedia Rhodesia,zimbabwae,Biafra.

[solid775]

to paramilitary20, thank god for your young heart of interest! Rhodesia was a wonderful country of many ancient black tribes most of who never got along and fought bloody battles over primitive tribal issues,until white settlers came starting in the 1500's mostly from england, and united most of these tribes in 1965 Rhodesia wanted independence from england but because Rhodesia was making so much money and becomeing a powerful country economically the brits refused to let go.

[paramilitary20]

P.S. I mean the French Foreign Legion. I know Rhodesia is now Zimbabwe.

[paramilitary20]

But wasn't Rhodesia a white supremecist country? I'm not trying to argue, I'm just curious as to what you all are supporting. I liked what they were doing too... Fighting for the sovereignty of the other African countries. That would make Africa a better place. Only problem is why were they white supremecists? That is racism and that is bad. Just tell me why you all suport the Rhodesians. Just educate me. I'm actually only 17. I also have been thinking hard about the Foreign Legion.

[Egg573]

Good video with lots of pics.  It's too bad the heroic efforts of the RLI, Rhodesian African Rifles, BSAP and the rest of the Rhodesian military were wasted by the governments of the day. It may not have been a perfect place, but it would be better off today had Mugabe never come to power.

So here's to the Troops, both Black and White, who fought to keep their nation Free!

[mausergirl]

Awesome video - thanks so much for creating it. My husband was born in Rhodesia, but was too young to have been in the Army there. He will like this video, too, I think.

[photo10459]

I sat in many a Mombassa bar in 1980. Didn't drink any gin but put away my share of White Cap & Tuskers beer. What a tribute;great song

[ftachasertx]

What a GREAT tribute video to the brave men of the RLI. I know 3 of the individuals shown in this video. Two of them are still living, the 3rd, Major Columbus Smith passed away several years ago.

[crazychikn]

africa will always be the white mans grave

[Partisan1983]

God bless the Rhodie's.

The thousands of Americans and Euros who fought there during the war will never be forgotten by real freedom loving individuals.

...and we will celebrate the day forever when Mugabe and his socialist Klansman will be "put to the sword" and Rhodesia will rise back from the grave.

[DrunkenlazybastardED]

bwahahahhahahahhahahahahahahha­hahahha

*breath*

bwahahahahhahahahhahahahhahaha­hahha

lol imperialism.

[sunderwood999]

beautiful, makes you think about life wasted and perverted.

[c730202]

Great haunting melody and images that bring back memories of a "Time of Madness"that most of the world know or care nothing about, accept for those of us that were there, and who have since been scattered to the four corners of the earth by the "Winds of Change". Masodja

[tprdfh51]

Hey dude - your army # is just about 196 after mine. When did you join?

[MilitantDanny]

I think 2:11 is my favorite picture... A real man running on adrenaline, with a real man's rifle... Hats off to you guys!

[tribuno76]

RHODESIAN ARMY :-)

[tribuno76]

Rhodesia risorgi e riporta pace e speranza...

[AndyCinDallas]

Hats off to the Rhodie boys from an ex- South African soldier. You fought long and you fought well, only to be betrayed by the Western powers in the end. Yep, Zim is such a wonderful country now that they are *cough* free.

[lukeclews]

jesus guys, a beautiful memorial song, and all your doing is argueing, if you dont like a comment just mark it as a bad comment, dnt go ruining the page, feel ashamed of yourselves

for people who arnt doing this, well done for appreciating a great song =]

[rrwjw]

Hats off to the R.L.I. You guys comand respect and are more than respected amoung all those who have ever had the pleasure to work along side some of you.

[fenmer49]

show some respect you two this war claim lives on both sides and some little bitch claiming about copyright or another saying freedom of a nation is pointless makes me sick

[tprdfh51]

So which one makes you sick - the whiney bitch claiming copyright or the one saying freedom of a nation.

[treizoz1]

My fondest wish is that you would have understood the inherent sarcasm in my original post. You still ripped off an exact quote the first operation quartz page on google (but wait you probably made that website too right?), remain naive and insiginificant by checking back to this video to make sure, what, you get the "respect" you deserve?? Good luck, you and your war are nonentities and if it took you 3 weeks to figure out my original post was 100% sarcsm, you are just as foolish as I thought.

[tprdfh51]

Don't think I can grant your fondest wish dude but I can tell you that I contributed a lot of the information for Richard Allport's "Operation Quartz" website (you can email him to verify that if you want)and all of the T-55 photos on that site. I am the guy kneeling in front of the 43 rds of main gun ammo they carried. If you think that war was a nonentity just ask the people living in Zimbabwe under Mugabe and ZANU PF now. PS I'm not looking for respect mate - just honesty about that war.

[tprdfh51]

Hey treizoz1 - you used to be just treizoz and 19 yrs of age - now you are treizoz1 and 46 years of age. So like dude, which is it?

[treizoz1]

If you say so, but I respect soldiers--not mercenaries. Once again, let me reiterate that your quest for honesty is pointless and futile because (let me spell it out for you): my first post was nothing but mocking someone who would go out of their way to claim credit for an arbitrary picture. Its a warren zevon song, not a acadmic search. Why else would you have made a comment if you didnt want to be recognized in some way? Stop Fooling yourself.

[tprdfh51]

I am not nor did I ever consider myself a mercenary nor did the Rhodesian Army employ mercenaries. They had more than enough good soldiers of their own both black and white. The quest for honesty is never pointless or futile except for nihilists - which I am not. Sorry if I didn't understand your sarcasm but I am not a mindreader. Warren Zevon was a great artist and I enjoy his music - it was the song and the pic which got my attention. Its not about recognition, its' about copyright!

[DoorGunnerNam67]

Actually tprdfh51 is right. He was 19 then he changed his name and age. So what is it realy treizoz1?

[WaltRalegh]

I'm not sure who's right in this conflict over the photograph but check out my channel profile for treizoz's take.

[tprdfh51]

Walt - not sure of treizoz's comment or what his take is but I can assure you that I took the two photos Mar. 04, 1980 at 0900 & 0915 hrs and donated all the t-55 pics in the article on Op Quartz that you are refering to. I am still waiting for treizoz to name the men in the photo and I think it will be some time before he does.

[tprdfh51]

Just reread it again and I think treizoz is saying I have plagerized his life and photo. OK treizoz lets play a game: its called how I can tell whether you ever served in the Rhodie Army or are the lying scumbag bullshitter I know you are. Just tell us your age, the date you enlisted, your service number, unit(s) served in and date of your discharge. My guess is, like the names of the men in the pic you won't have it - unless you google some more bogus history to prop up your bullshite.

[tprdfh51]

Walt, now I am sorry man - I just looked up treizoz's Youtube profile and he lists his age as 19 years. That would make him negative -9yrs of age when the photo was taken in 1980. His father probably hadn't even had his first wet dream yet! Not sure why he wants to claim credit for the pic except that I am now rothfl!!!

[WaltRalegh]

Great!

[tprdfh51]

treizoz - thats interesting, which pic are u refering to seeing that the pic at 1:42 is the one I took? See my description below. If u did take the pic perhaps u can name the men in the photo?

[hittman1962]

Great Country....Great Singer...I loved them both...Both gone...But the Songs remain...Cheers...

[tprdfh51]

Hey - I took the pic at 1:43. Great song and great vid! Glad I could help out man. What a time it was.

[scout1983]

wow! tell us more!

[tprdfh51]

I took the photo as a crewman on the Rhodesian T-55's in 1 RhAC 'E'Sqn Mar.04, 1980at 0900hrs. We were listening to ZRBC report the results of the elections which (as we all regret now) resulted in Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF taking over and ultimately ruining Zimbabwe. Google "operation quartz" and you will read the full story. Cheers!

[fight4tampa]

Once upon a time there was a land

called Rhodesia

It earned its keep, and it ran itself, and never asked for charity

Once again our government, sided with the deadly foe

Now run by scum, it's called Zimbabwe, and it's as Red as it can go

[Odessa45]

That is a little bit of 'awsome' right there, mate!

[Uzi554]

Kind of a sad song.

[charliecizarny]

Makes me think of Ireland's Wild Geese. There will always be another war to die in.

[winggoddess]

reminds me of rocky raccoon.

[tsonda4570]

God bless and keep you. Shame on my country for what they did to to yours. You have great support in certain parts of the US.

Cheers,

T

[stormywindmill]

If Rhodesia had not held up the march of Communism down through Africa maybe the Commies would have reached the Cape long before USSR collapsed and world history been different, Great guys, proud to have been with you in the fight it wasnt for nothing.

[stormywindmill]

If Rhodesia had not held up the march of Communism down through Africa may be the Commies would have reached the cape long before

[dyepainting]

May Rhodesia live forever in our memories!

Much respect to the RLI!

[starduks]

i swear, one day i will own an r1

[Partisan1983]

Awesome !!!

This vid needs to be posted on every hosting site before NyetTube deletes it again.

God bless all those that fought against tyranny.

[scout1983]

why would they?

[johnnny5555]

we did our best

[Parabellumklr]

Expat?

[urrlord]

a great salute to a forgotten theater of the "cold war".

[tutanga14]

i never knew about this theater of the cold war

[metalwar83]

Wow such a creepy song but done beautifully!!!

[ebglider91]

I really like this song, I've been listening to it since I was about 5 thanks to my dad. Respect to the (former) Rhodesian Army as well

[scout1983]

that's a great song! ;)

[ecvmsparky]

Former my ass. It is now, and always will be RHODESIA, and no kaffir will tell me otherwise.

[kirstenthegoth]

These days many "kaffirs" wish that Rhodesia was still a going concern.