What's Going On

It is nothing new for soldiers to return home from a wartime situation with little or no mental support. I left Vietnam one day and was on my own in New Orleans two days later. Soldiers went away to war and some returned, in one piece or otherwise. Like every soldier before me and every one since, I left something behind that I will never recover.

Like today, much of my generation’s pleasures and displeasures were expressed in the music of the times. Last night I heard Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On and it triggered a long-hidden memory.

The song is one of the most affecting anti-war ballads ever penned. Written during the height of the Vietnam War it raised awareness about the plight of returning soldiers, especially those from the black, inner-city. The words are poignant and ring true, even today. Especially today! Here are the lyrics from What’s Going On.

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, babyRight on
Right onFather, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge usSimply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to meSo you can see
What's going on
What's going onTell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby

Soldiers are still going away to war. Some will return - in one piece or otherwise - but every one of them will leave something behind on the battlefield when they come home. Last night What’s Going On triggered a long-hidden memory – a memory of abandonment, despair and lost innocence. Little has changed since Vietnam.

Louisiana Mystery Writer