The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley”
Single by C-Company featuring Terry Nelson
Released	March 1971
Format	7"
Recorded	1971
Genre	Spoken word
Label	Plantation
Writer(s)	Julian Wilson James M. Smith
Producer	Shelby Singleton
C-Company featuring Terry Nelson singles chronology
– "The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley" (1971) –

The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley is a 1971 spoken word recording with vocals by Terry Nelson and music by pick-up group C-Company.

[edit] Inspiration and meaning

The song, set to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," is an apology for one of the worst war crimes in US military history, while also taking a swipe at war protestors. The song offers a heroic description of Lieutenant William Calley, who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murdering Vietnam civilians in the My Lai.

[edit] Background and success

The song was written in April 1970 by Julian Wilson and James M. Smith of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. In November 1970 a few copies of it were issued by Quickit Publishings. In March 1971 Shelby Singleton, publisher of "Harper Valley PTA," obtained the rights to the song and issued a new recording under his Nashville Music Company. In the first three days of April the song started to take off selling 300,000 copies. Its success was spurred by widespread public sympathy for William Calley following his conviction and sentencing to life in prison. Most of the copies were sold in the East, Midwest and South.

[edit] Charts

Chart (1971)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	37