Joan Baez wrote and sang Saigon Bride, which was first published in 1967 as a protest song against the Vietnam War. Traditional music became a method of opposition during the Vietnam War, and contemporary artists felt that creating music about the military conflict would be an efficient and successful way to resist. The lines of Saigon Bride portray grief and despair since the author appears tired of individuals striving for unattainable ideals as they lose their lives.
Concerning the specific historical context, Joan Baez’s song Saigon Bride is a stand-alone piece composed from the perspective of a soldier battling in the Vietnam War. Crucial subjects such as racism and recruitment are discussed throughout the lyrics. For instance, Baez writes, “some say it is yellow, some say it is red, it will not matter when we are dead” to convey the concept of what real combat is (Baez, 1967). The author emphasizes that race and political position do not matter if people are slain in combat. The lines “it pulls them off the streets, you know to places they would never go alone and the lucky lads are even paid” indicate how young individuals were kidnapped and transported (Baez, 1967). In fact, they were initially taken to the conflict without being compensated and rewarded. Furthermore, the song focuses on the idea that those engaged in the conflict were predestined to die, and the sorrow and fury experienced by the families of the victims and companions are evident continuously.
All in all, in terms of the historical background, Joan Baez’s song Saigon Bride is a stand-alone composition written from the perspective of a Vietnam War soldier. Throughout the song, important topics, including racism and enlistment, are highlighted. The author underlines that race and political affiliation are irrelevant when people are killed in battle. Moreover, the song concentrates on the concept that individuals involved in the war were condemned to die, and the grief and anguish felt by the victims’ friends and families are clear throughout.
Reference
Baez, Joan. (1967). Saigon Bride. Genius. Web.