I happen to know someone who knew John Mitchum and I remembered that it was
John Mitchum who wrote this poem. I did a search on Google and found this
page about it. http://members.aol.com/cyberdenis/duke/america.htm There were
other pages that came up- this is just the first one.
I got curious and search Amazon.com and found this review.
"This sentimentally over-the-top spoken-word recording was originally issued
in 1973, during the height of Watergate and the final, unsettling days of
the Vietnam War. In the wake of September 11, 2001, the John Wayne Estate
reissued it on CD. And why not? Marion Morrison, a.k.a. John Wayne and the
Duke, remains an enduring symbol of America--a country with an endlessly
conflicted legacy of largely improvised symbolism, national myths,
revised-on-a-dime history, and the freedom to make a buck on effusive
patriotic rhetoric. Kitsch collectors may welcome the chance to own a true
genre staple in digital sound, while others may yet find genuine solace in
its orchestra-and-choir-backed oratory. With a poetic sensibility that
seldom strays from the "Carolina pines/Appalachian mines" level of its
opening verses, Wayne's processed voice (which betrays the health problems
that would be his demise) expounds on topics that range from his homeland's
undeniable natural beauty to his son's high school football career and the
wisdom of a fictionalized aging Mexican caballero. The would-be idealism in
"The Hyphen" aims to erase ethnic and racial boundaries, yet modern
hyphenated Americans may find continued prejudice and the vagaries of
history have rendered its rhetoric distinctly double-edged. Still, Wayne's
love of country emanates from every track. Patriotism may be the last refuge
of scoundrels, but it's been graciously hospitable to Hollywood icons, from
the Duke to Dutch Reagan. --Jerry McCulley " The CD is $14.98 from
Amazon.com.
Dana Stemig
K-6 Library Media Teacher
Modesto City Schools District
Modesto, California
www.monet.k12.ca.us/wright/library
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU]On Behalf Of Tony L. Pope
Sent: Thursday, July 04, 2002 7:43 PM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: "America" read by John Wayne
While listening to a montage of music and sayings on the theme of
"America/U.S.A" on an Atlanta radio station tonight, there was a reading by
John Wayne included ithat I would like to find a copy. I know I have heard
it before. Sounds like a poem, but it is read by John Wayne. Anyone have
any idea about the title of this? CR date, etc. Any info. that would help
me track it down. I may just have to e-mail the station and see if anyone
there has an idea.
Thanks in advance!
Tony Pope, Media Specialist
McHenry Primary School
100 McHenry Drive
Rome, GA 30161
Pope1966@aol.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) send email to:
listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors:
http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) send email to:
listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors:
http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
LM_NET
Mailing List Home