Donovan - Universal Soldier

Written in the early 1960s by Canadian Buffy Sainte-Marie, The Universal Soldier is commonly interpreted as being written in response to the war in Vietnam, it was actually penned before the first US combat troops arrived there. It received popularity when released by Scottish folk artist Donovan in 1965. It did well in Britain, where it was first released, reaching number five on the singles charts, though it fared less well in the United States.The version here appears with a photo montage, with credit to Youtube user tolka.

The Universal Soldier is an unusual war-protest song because it blames war not on governments, leaders or corporations, but on the individuals who accept the notion that killing solves problems and one war can end future wars. As implied by the title, Sainte-Marie makes no distinction between the soldiers of different nations, religions or ideologies: they fight for different causes but the same reasons. The song prompted a hostile response from Jan Berry of the pop duo Jan and Dean, who released The Universal Coward and turned his songwriting attention on war protesters. Some of the lyrics to Berry's song include:

He's a pacifist, an extremist, a Communist or just a Yank
A demonstrator, an agitator, or just a knave
A conscientious objector, a fanatic, a defector
And he doesn't know he's digging his own grave

He's the universal coward and he runs from anything
From a giant to a human to an elf
He runs from Uncle Sam and he runs from Vietnam
But most of all he's running from himself

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Donovan
• Buffy Sainte-Marie
• Vietnam War
• pacifism
• anti-war
• Jan Berry

[MrLazyHippie]

Can't you see,

this is not the way we put an end to war.

[buriedinvinyl]

This song makes more sense than any other war protest song. But only if you can get the enemy to go along with it.

[Plato86]

The Revolutionary war, War of 1812, Mexican- American war, Spanish - America, The Barbary war and Korea.

[floresebu]

@Plato86 Other than World War 2 can you name a war that the USA has engaged in that has been for self defense? IRAQ????? WHY????

[3tangle3]

@Plato86 but why would you need to defend yourself if no one bothered attacking...duh

[panathinakosbear]

@mudrydyr Except it only works if everyone plays along

[mudrydyr]

People today should heed this song thered be less killing in the world

[the1kill1zone]

give peace a chance

[MickyyisMick]

wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows

[Plato86]

War? What is it good for? Self defense, never forget that war is necessary to defend yourself.

[regergekowns]

@MrLazyHippie it alredy said that in the vid fagget

[MrBaza23]

War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, (and once more) we say it again (and again and again).