First Time Hearing | RedGum | I Was Only 19 | Kathy and Lulu Reaction

[@chrismatthew8812]

Such a powerful song. As a former member of the Australian Army, this always brings out the emotions. Keep up the good work. 🇦🇺😊

[@Pomdownuder]

All proceeds from the song go to the Australian Vietnam veterans association. It is based on the expirences of John Schumann's brother-in-law and a friend. This is an unofficial "Anzac day" (Australia New Zealand army Corp) anthem

[@epoh8698]

I have to watch this/listen to this every now and then. Use to drink with all the old boys in the Grand hotel and many other old pubs out west. Grandfather was in ww2 for 4 and half years, Grew up with him. Song really hits home. Townsville just up the road . Born the old ways wood stove. Home from school chop wood for bath and dinner. Man i miss the days you just go sit at the bar at a old pub and chat to who ever was beside you.

[@rodneybourne9230]

You brought back old memories when I lived in Koak ,went to school in Karandah. Step father Polish was WW2 army, escaped Poland ,joined the British 8th, Spent 2yrs as a POW.

[@skasteve6528]

A lot of Americans don't realise that there were troops from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Philippines and Thailand fighting alongside them in Vietnam. I'm from England, and this Sunday is remembrance Sunday, when we remember those who fought and died in both world wars. At 11a.m., on the eleventh of the eleventh, we have a minutes silence to reflect on their sacrifice. If I'm not working (The silence applies to the workplace too), I usually go to a small memorial for the Canadians who died in the Normandy landings. I don't live in Britain any more, but every Armistice day I still observe the silence and reflect on the sacrifice of all or our commonwealth allies, former colonies as well as the US, Soviet, Nepal and many troops from the free units from occupied countries. I also spare a thought for our former enemies too. A good follow up song to I was only 19, would be Eric Bogle's The Band Played Waltzing Matilda.

[@DaveOz-mx5oh]

best song ever written about PTSD

[@NarnianRailway]

Thanks for introducing us to this song. Reading up, Australian forces in Vietnam 62-75, mostly '65-72. About 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam suffering similar experience as Americans. Australian Government hosts a page Anzac Portal with details plus a wiki. The song's wiki page provides the song history and lyrics details.

[@matthewcollins3479]

As an Australian i was born in 1975 and havent served any military at all but this song for Australians means alot to our vetrens even now at 49 it still gives me chills down my spine. Its one of those songs that mean so much for someone. Thank you as American to share this with the rest of the world.

[@samphillips2360]

And to think the Vets were treated like crap when they returned both in Australia and the US. Utterly disgraceful. 9:09

[@pierreverschueren8382]

Yes, and even today no one gives a crap. :(

[@sandgroperwookiee65]

@@pierreverschueren8382 not true! ..not in Australia anyway. Lest We Forget

[@pierreverschueren8382]

@@sandgroperwookiee65 Maybe not all Australians but lets be honest the majority did I know.

[@sandgroperwookiee65]

@@pierreverschueren8382 you said "even today nobody gives a crap"..that is NOT true! Only a very small % don't gac.

[@himbo754]

This is a famous song in Australia. There is a lot of references to things in Australia that makes sense to us, but probably wouldn't to others.

[@neilt6480]

I suspect that there's references in there that a good few of the younger generations of Aussies miss. I was lucky AF - we had a change of government and the draft ended just months before I was old enough.

[@raston1961]

@@neilt6480 My eldest brother missed the draft and like you conscription stopped before the next brother would have faced the ballot. I'm 63 now, I certainly have vivid memories whenever I think of it.

[@dasta7658]

Thanks for reacting to this song, love from Australia❤

[@ray.shoesmith]

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 M.16? 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 19 And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep? Any 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 19

[@MrDarkwing78]

🇦🇺 Welcome to Australia, ladies, and thank you for covering such a beautiful, haunting tribute to our boys in green. I scrolled through your video’s, and have 2 artists to recommend that you’ll love. (Edit: I just found out you’ve heard “Rock and Roll Nerd”, hopefully you’ll appreciate the other suggestions by Tim Minchin below) Firstly though, the GOAT vocalist out of Australia who Celine Dion herself idolises, locally known simply as “The Voice”, John Farnham. I’ll start you off with 3 great songs (best in the following order) and then you’re on your own to explore that rabbit hole. “You’re the Voice” is our unofficial pub anthem. Watch it Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and keep a close eye on that mic stand (especially when the camera reverses, you’ll see why) “Help” is a rearrangement of The Beatles song, so be familiar with that first. Farnsy did the greatest cover of any song in music history with this IMHO. Again, Live with the MSO. Finally, Kathy has heard this with Ace, but the other ladies would appreciate it too. Farnsy and Barnsy (John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes from Cold Chisel) covering “When something is wrong with my baby” is some of the best crooning you’ll ever hear. Now, onto Tim Minchin. “Lullaby” is safe, “Prejudice” is pure genius, and if you think you can handle it “Thank You God” and “The Pope Song” are irreverent but brilliant. He has many other great songs, but I’m trying to limit this. +++Warning+++ There is some explicit language in “The Pope Song”, but you won’t disagree with a word of it by the end. (For gods sake, don’t start with that one, though!) Sorry to hit you with so much, but I’m so sure you’ll enjoy them all so it was worth taking the time to recommend each and every song here.

[@daviddou1408]

Not sure what this great spiel has to do with "I Was Only 19". Relevance please?

[@MrDarkwing78]

@@daviddou1408 Way to make me feel guilty for not having personal experience in the military but still wanting to share 2 of our national treasures in the comments. Are you going to ask the person who just wrote “That Teddy is going to haunt you come Halloween” what that has to do with “I was Only 19?” Or the person who only wrote “Welcome from Brisbane, Australia.. Bluey comes from here too” exactly what Bluey has to do with Redgum? How about the bloke that didn’t even reference the song but requested a Linkin Park song? Are you going to police the comments for all irrelevant material? I wrote out a long recommendation. (Actually copy/paste/edited) sue me.

[@briandoughty1784]

This song, the Last Post and "The Ode" bring tears to my eyes every time. A movie to watch is DANGER CLOSE is well worth watching

[@djgrant8761]

Lest We Forget.

[@Johnnyoz75]

I'm born and bred in Townsville, which is the city mentioned near the start of the song. It has the largest army base in Australia. If you watch the original video for this song it shows actual footage of the soldiers.

[@aldocadenaro-f8w]

I'm very sure most of South Australians were there, don't brag, it's a nationwide effort 🙄

[@Johnnyoz75]

@@aldocadenaro-f8w When I mentioned the soldiers, I was referring to all the soldiers nationwide obviously.

[@srebak]

I was guitarist in an Army cabaret band/Opus 4 in Townsville in 1970...I replaced their army guitarist/I was a local civilian...The members of the band were all army band members usually from Victoria and NSW...There were quite often musician changes in the band...I didn't think much of it at the time but thought that they must have been called for duty...!!??...I often practiced with them at Lavarack Barracks...And thankfully,I am still in touch with one of them...I was only 19...Powerful message in this song

[@Bill13012013]

Most of Redgum's live album Caught in the Act is worth listening to. Another great South Aussie band.

[@norm70]

Thank you ladies.

[@karentony3397]

Thank you for watching and reacting. So sad, but needs to be seen. Luv from Australia ❤️🎼❤️🎼❤️

[@DaveMartin-h5o]

I did a school project with a classmate using this song in 1983 We were in year 6

[@stuwhiteman3810]

Thanks guys for reacting to this song, Aussies get no recognition in movies or doco's for our contribution in WW1, WW2, Korea or Vietnam and also the later conflicts in the Middle East? Another heart felt song is by Eric Bogle "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" supposed to be the best anti war song ever written. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIbadXuEf9F9aKs

[@thebouncer9107]

I can also recommend this. A very powerful song, which sums up the treatment of veterans. Another war song to consider in the lead up to Christmas is 'Christmas 1915' by Tommy Fleming.

[@DaveMartin-h5o]

Hey guys Thanks for sharing this with us all ♥️💯🇦🇺

[@aribob2012]

Love your reaction, love from Brisbane, Australia,......bluey lives in Brisbane too, ❤

[@KneecapVanisher]

A bit of context behind this song: Between 1962 and 1972, Australia was one 5 Countries to participate in the U.S-Led “Many flags campaign” to aid the south Vietnamese in their war against the communist north. Australia sent 61,000 Personnel starting in 1962 and withdrawing fully in 1972. 521 Soldiers were killed, and a further 3,000 wounded. The song reflects the experiences of an Australian Vereran with PTSD from service in Vietnam. It was a major success when it was released in 1983. Initially, the war was seen as favorable by the Australian public. However the sentiment rapidly changed following an increasing number of conscripted soldiers being killed and wounded. Returning veterans saw less parades, and more disrespect from Australian citizens. During the 1960s and 1970s, they were excluded from joining the returned servicemen’s league on the grounds that they “didn’t fight in a real war”. Additionally, they were excluded from ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand army corps) day marches for the same reasons. Finally, in 1972 the RSL allowed Vietnam veterans to lead the March. In October 1992, the Vietnam Forces National Memorial was dedicated. It commemorates the 60,000 Australian personnel who served in Vietnam.

[@dennismoore1134]

Yes we were denied membership of the RSL (Returned Servicemen's League), for the reasons you state, but, we were NEVER refused or denied permission to march on ANZAC Day. I know, I am an Australian two tour Vietnam Veteran (Infantry). I have also never joined, or wanted to, The RSL, for other reasons as well as the one you stated.

[@KneecapVanisher]

@@dennismoore1134 I gathered all this within a single Wikipedia article. Perhaps I read wrong somewhere. Thanks for the insight.

[@dennismoore1134]

@@KneecapVanisher No, you probably did not 'read it wrong', Wikipedia did not get it entirely right. Wikipedia, which I have often used myself, is widely regarded as not being 100 per cent accurate, to put it politely. Thanks for your comment & for taking interest in a war in which we should not have been participating, but which we did. At least we can say that we conducted ourselves honourably. Regards, Dennis Moore, 3RAR Vietnam: 1967 - 1968; 1971.

[@daviddou1408]

Funny thing about all the comments made regarding not being able to join the RSL, I returned from Vietnam in early 1969 and joined the same year.

[@dennismoore1134]

@@daviddou1408 I guess the individual branches or sub-branches were able to decide for themselves. But the official policy of the RSL was that Vietnam Veterans were not entitled to full membership. They changed their rules in the '80s or '90s. when their membership numbers were falling, due to the increasing death-rate of the World War One Veterans & also those from World War Two. There have been several documentaries, or stories on the news & current affairs shows. In fact if you search for the issue on KZbin, you will see a story - with vision - of the RSL of NSW offering an apology. I was watching it again only the other day. I have never been a member, because of this & other reasons.

[@PaulKleynjan]

I acted on this clip. This was for the Hip Hop remake of the song. The gentlemen in the medals at the end took us through what it was like for them so we could do them some sort of justice

[@KathyLuluandDonna]

Awesome

[@billmiltiadis4827]

Glad you enjoyed it girls… this song gets me every time, and being Australian, I take my hat off to these blokes who risked their lives for our country.. there’s a better version than the one you saw, it’s in black and white.. best wishes and my love to both of you ❤❤❤ oh and to Jeff too ❤❤❤❤

[@fenrisulfur842]

Lest we forget🖤 Some memories never fade, and its a war of itself...

[@billschild3371]

There is one line that always haunts me in this song. It is "Frankie kicked a mine the day mankind kicked the moon. God help him he was going home in June." Now the first moon landing took place on 20 July (or July 20) so had he extended his tour or had he just arrived and only been there a month. I think the former but happy to be corrected.

[@daviddou1408]

This has always been a misunderstanding. 6 RAR arrived in Vietnam on the 8th May 1969, the moon landing was the 21st July Vietnam time just over two months later and the date the incident happened. Therefore as the battalion was not due to RTA until the 7th May 1970 they in fact had nearly 10 months left of their tour. June was purely poetic licence to rhyme. So no, he had neither extended his tour, nor was only one month in. Further it was not "Frankie", Francis Hunt, who was killed, it was the platoon commander Lt Peter Hines that was killed. Frankie suffered severe injuries and was repatriated to Australia and a number of others suffered lesser wounds. One of these was Michael Storen, John Schumann's brother in law, and the one who told John the story being where the inspiration came from.

[@jayweb51]

I would recommend you react to "PTSD15 Special Recording "I Was Only 19" John Schumann "

[@juliemarsden1858]

Yes I agree it gives the whole premise of the song

[@svenomick5857]

You Girls need to listen to the full story off this Song it is a true Story, there is a long version it gives You the hole Story Cheers Michael NSW Australia

[@neilt6480]

A cousin's husband did two tours. He wasn't wounded, but he damn near drank himself to death when he got home. He's mostly okay now and many years sober but still has his moments, according to my cousin.

[@chrischapman1522]

Thank you for your reaction

[@peterhoulis1184]

A very powerful song about Australian soldiers who fought in vietnam war and PTSD

[@Reviresco2]

War never leaves a person who served.

[@allanhindmarch7323]

There should never be a need to send our children to war!

[@elvwood]

I love Redgum - they can be very political or just goofy with equal ease. First song I heard (on the radio, back in the 80s, thank you Tommy Vance) was _ASIO,_ about the Australian security agency, and I was instantly won over. My favourite serious song is _The_ _Last_ _Frontier,_ and my favourite goofy one is _Servin'_ _USA_ (a Beach Boys parody).

[@susanjw7763]

Had neighbours and friends went to Vietnam and suffered with PTSD and various addictions.

[@michaelmayo9048]

Hi from Melbourne Australia..if you don't know what a red gum is it's a type of eucalyptus tree. There are 160 different types eucalyptus trees .nice honey from the trees .and some hardwood ones for building. And furniture.

[@daviddou1408]

The genera Angophora, Corymbia and Eucalyptus, over 800. *River red gum. Found throughout Australia.

[@chrisalldis3375]

It just tells you that you must listen to the Soldier as they will tell you of the futility of War.

[@DavidPola1961]

This was a hit song in Australia in 1983

[@FaySpargo]

Watch( the band played waltzing Matilda by Eric bogle) is is of similar importance and the effects it has on return soldiers but from ww1 and the Anzac respect!! ( Australia, New Zealand army core ) Anzac is initials !

[@daviddou1408]

Core is the thingy in the middle of an apple. *Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

[@rickcarter6094]

The sad part is that after all they went through, there were no big crowds to welcome them home.

[@philcleaver2703]

Ive been to bali to not sad redgum excellent mob

[@pierreverschueren8382]

That teddy will haunt you come Halloween :)

[@Guvament_bs]

Redgum were an Australian folk band from the 70s and 80s. The were very good. I saw them live many times. Some of their better songs include... Lear Jets Over Kulgera, The Last Frontier, Poor Ned, Killing Floor, Stewie, Long Run and Nuclear Cop. I am sure you would enjoy all of these.

[@digitaldirt7773]

I was about to bag on the over production of the vocals and it seemed kind of cheesy. Then I googled and saw this guy was Australian and fighting politics back in 1975. My dad was drafted in the U.S. and had to fight in Vietnam in 1967 and early 1968. So I get it now. War didn't bring my dad down but he never saw life the same way after that. Seeing innocent people getting killed and women molested changed him for life. By the time this song was recorded both my brother and I where born. We are just over a year apart. Unfortunately he died last year complications from lung disease caused by Agent Orange and all the unfiltered free cigarettes they fed him for two years and got him hooked.

[@stephenogier7499]

Another Redgum song: Lear Jets over Kulgera

[@musicguy694]

It is hard to watch this I lost friends in that war.

[@johnpage7735]

Redgum is a tree. The timber is very solid. I believe it is native to Australia 🇦🇺. Regards John

[@daviddou1408]

River red gum, native to Australia and found in most of the country.

[@johnpage7735]

@@daviddou1408 cheers

[@paulr4811]

Check out. I have been to Bali by redgum

[@realtruth716]

if you want the full story the John Schumann version will tell you.

[@johncargell8879]

I can't find you on Patreon ? I just stumbled across your channel and subscribe. I'm a 63 year musician and would LOVE to see your reactions to music I'll send. How do I do that ?

[@KathyLuluandDonna]

You can send a request through our buy me a coffee page. buymeacoffee.com/aceandkitk7

[@Intrusive_Thought176]

U should react to buffalo springfields "expecting to fly" if you haven't already. highly recommend

[@chillybogart8165]

Aussies ain't all doom. Check out GOOD TIMES. INXS and Barney, also JONNY FARNHAM

[@2eREPPARA]

Aussie combat vet And when I get to heavens gates to St Peter l’ll say “Legionnaire reporting in l’ve done my time in hell”🇦🇺🇺🇸

[@1legend517]

"Can you tell me doctor why I still can't get to sleep? And night times just a jungle dark and a barking m16?" Doctor: "Have you tried to, like, close your eyes and not think about it? What else can i help you with?" "And what's this rash that comes and goes can you tell me what it means" Doctor "it's an itch don't scratch it. Is there anything else i can help you with?"

[@NigelLangmead]

Try jonah louie stop the cavalry.

[@waytooxtreme]

could you guys please react to linkin park emptiness machine

[@paulr4811]

War is hell

[@paulbirtles2807]

PTSD anniversary version by the original band is a way better version than this one.