The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley

Infobox Single
Name = The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley


Artist = C-Company featuring Terry Nelson
from Album =
B-side =
Released = March 1971
Format = 7"
Recorded = 1971
Genre = Spoken word
Length =
Label = Plantation
Writer = Julian Wilson
James M. Smith
Producer = Shelby Singleton
Certification =
Last single = –
This single = "The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley"
(1971)
Next single = –

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.

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.

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.

Charts