Jann Arden / Bring the Boys Home

Jann Arden, a Canadian singer and songwriter, recently released "Bring the Boys Home." Freda Payne recorded this song in 1971. Obviously, in 1971, the reference was to the Vietnam war.

You can listen to the song here. Listen and see what you think.

The reference now may be to the Canadian armed forces in Afghanistan, or to the U.S., British, and other armed forces in Iraq. Canada's current Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, was keen to send the Canadian forces into a situation involving combat with Taliban forces. Recently, he has been trying to convince other NATO partners to join in that effort, but without much success. Many countries are willing to help with development and security in areas without an active conflict, but not many want to go to the region where the Canadian forces now are. There is strong opposition in Canada to the decisions of the Harper minority government about the use of the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan.

more on the flip side

I've been told that the "kill rate" for Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan is slightly higher than that for American soldiers in Iraq. The "kill rate" reflects the number of military personnel killed, as a proportion of the total number (or so I've been told).

Jann Arden comments, in an accompanying note, about her view of this song as an expression of the longing of all family members and friends for the safe return of every soldier in every war. She notes:

Ultimately, the message in this song is one of peace. I fully support our soldiers overseas, and here at home, although in contrast to that, I am always conflicted about supporting "war". My sincere wishes are always ones of hope, that all the soldiers fighting and defending freedom can return home to their families and their countries unharmed.

This song has a strong peace message, an anti-war message, at least when it comes to "senseless wars." I loved the song when I first heard it on the radio.

•  leaving the scene...

  Sorry this post-and-run diary--I had planned to stay up for a while to respond to any comments. This has turned out to be too much of a challenge, so I'm off to get some sleep.

  I hope that those who visit this diary enjoy the song.

  by True North on Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 01:29:28 AM PDT

  •  I enjoyed it very much

    I've always liked Jann Arden.  Thank you.

    by jlynne on Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 03:25:09 AM PDT

  •  Was she on the CBC's greatest

    Canadian list?

    I never paid attention to that while it was on... but if she wasn't, she should've been. She's long been a favourite of mine; comedian, songstress, small business owner, independent woman with strong roots. Gotta love her.

    by KiaRioGrl79 on Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 04:42:13 AM PDT

•  I have always been under the impression...

  That Arden was on the right of the political spectrum - a PC (That's Progressive Conservative) at the least, if not a Reformacrat.

  Live and learn.

  DFooK

  by deepfish on Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 03:46:07 AM PDT

  •  Jann's political beliefs

    I haven't heard anything about Jann Arden's political views. I've heard her interviewed a number of times. In those interviews, she spoke quite candidly about her life and times, and about opinions on any number of topics--but, so far as I recall, she didn't mention party politics.

    I've always liked Jann Arden. I live in Calgary, her home town, and I've heard about some of the community-oriented activities she's done, without a lot of fanfare.  

    Whether she votes the same way I do, or not, I have a lot of respect for her, both as an artist and as a fine, fine, human being.

    Here's a bit of Jann Arden philosophy, from her journal on Christmas Eve last year:

    The power of thought. The power of goodness and mercy and grace.

    Be fair.

    Be tolerant.

    Don't judge anybody else, lest you be judged.

    Embrace all ideas, all faiths, all people and cultures and traditions.

    Every human being has the right to happiness.

    We all have the right to pursue happiness, forsaking all other things.

    It is our divine task to do so in this life.

    Only what you think of yourself matters, all other opinions are only just that.

    No one should ever keep you from being content and fulfilled on this earth of ours.

    Pursue happiness.

    Seek it. Find it.

    Live a good life. Be easy on yourself. Be forgiving of your faults.

    Find the truth no matter what that involves. Your truth, no one else's.

    I hope peace follows you and finds your heart, all the days of your life.

    by True North on Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 01:31:53 PM PDT