‘I’m very proud of it’: John Schumann reflects on his song ‘I Was Only 19’

Sky News host Chris Kenny has sat down with singer-songwriter John Schumann to discuss his song ‘I Was Only 19’ by Redgum.
The song is now cherished by veterans and serving soldiers.
“I think the first time I kind of got to understand the power of the song was playing it live,” Mr Schumann said.
“Room’s absolutely full, and we played ‘I Was Only 19’, and about the first six rows burst into tears.”
He said he’s proud of what his song did and the changes that it made for others.

[@theracer1117]

I’m a 17 year old, and some of these lines send shivers down my spine. John, this is an amazing song.

[@kyliesanders6013]

We played this song at my Dad's funeral...it always expressed what Dad went through during Vietnam...thank you for this song it helped us to this day.

[@Edpaxton-g4n]

I was 19 1n 1965 on the river of I core area of Vietnam I was in the U S Navy, Just like the Aussies And New zelanders we all took are time in Vietnam back home. I did 2 tours over there. This song I heard it the first time 1 year ago. It hit home . I can nevre forget I have gotten help form V A . and othe people. it has help.but I don't think I will ever escape my feelings. This song means a lot to all Vets who went over there and then the way we were treated when we got back I am proud of my time in the Navy. Thank to all my brothers who served and came back home and remember those who did not.

[@pippawebb3443]

What a great interview. Thankyou John for telling the story of combat in Vietnam and for the incredible contribution that your song has made to Australia's treatment of all Vetrans..more work to do but significant change trigger! You should be proud!

[@pennydutra4291]

Good interview, thanks Chris.

[@michaelmarks8954]

Spent my time in the Delta (71~72) I listen to this song everyday have watched Danger Close several times. 🇺🇸

[@troymorris4590]

I was a 20-21 year old U S Marine in Viet Nam 1966-67. I was recovering from a leg wound from a sniper when the Battle of Long tan was happening, August 1966. I was only 20. I had only been in Country 6 weeks, I healed up and continued my tour. I left Viet Nam by ship from Danang on the 4th of July 1967.

[@nataladrew6933]

We will never let this song die John.

[@Tully_23_32]

I don't think that there has been a more important song written & performed by anyone anywhere else in the world. It gives me goosebumps & tears every time i hear it. One thing that John was 100% on was that the song changed the minds of Aussies all over the country about our Vietnam vets. What angers me was our govt at that time sent these young men to fight in a war that had nothing to do with us but as America's lap dog we followed them in with our nose up their arses & then coz of the public backlash the govt then ignored these young men & didn't recognise those young men, turned their backs on them & also had to face the wrath of the Aussie public that blamed those young men like they decided themselves to enter the Vietnam war. Absolutely disgusting & appalling & a very pathetic time in our nation's history

[@simonharris4873]

Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing Out parade at Puckapunyal It was a long march from cadets The sixth battalion was the next to tour and it was me who drew the card We did Canungra and Shoalwater before we left And Townsville lined the footpaths As we marched down to the quay This clipping from the paper Shows us young and strong and clean And there's me in me slouch hat with me SLR and greens God help me - I was only nineteen From Vung Tau riding Chinooks to the dust at Nui Dat I'd been in and out of choppers now for months And we made our tents a home V.B. and pinups on the lockers And an Asian Orange sunset through the scrub And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep? And night time's just a jungle dark and a barking M16? And what's this rash that comes and goes Can you tell me what it means? God help me - I was only nineteen A four week operation When each step can mean your last one on two legs It was a war within yourself But you wouldn't let your mates down 'Til they had you dusted off So you closed your eyes and thought about somethin' else And then someone yelled out "Contact" And the bloke behind me swore We hooked in there for hours Then a God almighty roar And Frankie kicked a mine The day that mankind kicked the moon God help me - he was goin' home in June And I can still see Frankie Drinkin' tinnies in the Grand Hotel On a thirty-six hour rec. leave in Vung Tau And I can still hear Frankie, lying screaming in the jungle 'Til the morphine came and killed the bloody row And the ANZAC legends didn't mention mud and blood and tears And the stories that my father told me never seemed quite real I caught some pieces in my back that I didn't even feel God help me - I was only nineteen And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep? And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet? And what's this rash that comes and goes Can you tell me what it means? God help me, I was only nineteen

[@CarolEpworth-md9tf]

Yes a very sad song heartbreaking 💔😢

[@judycasemore2168]

Tjanks John, for recording I was only 19. I hope the new Australians, in our beautiful country , will understand our History.

[@paultodd2375]

They don’t give a shit about are history

[@mathewjamieson4301]

Thankyou mate my dad fought in that war .

[@Myfootinplaces]

I did three tours in the Middle East - the song was my experience.

[@eliz1957]

My son was in Afghanistan 2010… I was invited to dawn service and breakfast at the army barracks, which I attended… An ex Vietnam vet sat opposite me at the table… We started to talk, and I will never forget he told me… His father would not allow him to sit at the kitchen table when he came home from Vietnam, because he was ashamed of what his son had been at war in Vietnam… I could not believe that a father had done this to his son 😢😢😢

[@355sle]

No we didn’t do rite by those brave young men. Australia & their allied countries buried their heads in the sand for years. I feel deeply ashamed that my fellow countrymen would treat or return service people that way , such a dark stain on our country’s history!

[@philippawesterman8843]

Terrific artist, terrific song 😊

[@popcornshiner3937]

He said it in one hit "bullshit wars"

[@MultiAmbivalent]

Is the experience of conscripts for the Vietnam War really comparable to the experiences of professional, highly-trained and well-paid soldiers who joined of their own free will to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq? Why would they see this as THEIR song? The song, if it is anything is anti-war.