Dave Dudley is best-known for his trucker songs including "Six Days on the Road" and "Truck Drivin' Son-of-a-Gun". His duet with Tom T. Hall called "Day Drinking" demonstrated that he was not limited to trucking songs. He is one of the best-known singers of the truck-driving era in country music and was one of the icons in this category.
Dave was born in 1928 in Spencer, Wisconsin. He had a short career as a semi-professional baseball player. After he suffered an arm injury he was no longer able to play baseball. He then decided to pursue a career in country music. He was one of the earliest artists to record for National Recording Corporation on the NRC label.
He first appeared on the Country charts in 1961 with the song "Maybe I Do," released by Vee Records. He later moved to Golden Wing Records. Two years later, in 1963, the label released the single "Six Days on the Road". In 1963, Dudley moved on to Mercury records. Dave Dudley continued to have success into the 1970s. He continued to record for Mercury Records.
In the 1980s, Dave Dudley continued to record, but not as much as he once had. He remained popular in concert. In total, Dudley recorded more than 70 albums. However, he did not manage to reclaim his past success, and neither his single "Where's that Truck?", recorded with DJ Charlie Douglas, nor the track "Dave Dudley, American Trucker", recorded in 2002 in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, helped revive his career.
Dudley died on December 22, 2003 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Wisconsin.
What We're Fighting For
Dave Dudley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I miss you and there's something on my mind tonight
At mail call, I received your letter here today
But I don't understand the things you say
You tell me there are people marching in our streets
The signs they carry say that we don't fight for peace
There's not a soldier in this foreign land, who likes this war
Tell them that we're fighting for the old red, white and blue
Did they forget Pearl Harbor and Korea too
Another flag must never fly above our nation's door
Oh mama, tell them what we're fighting for
From Maine to California, there are many noble men
Who know the price of war and pray, we'd never fight again
But the world must learn, that we will fight, we will protect our shore
Oh mama, tell them what we're fighting for
Oh mama, tell them what we're fighting for
Oh mama, tell them what we're fighting for
The lyrics of Dave Dudley's song "What We're Fighting For" are about a soldier who is writing a letter to his mother. He's missed his mother and has received a letter from her about the political climate in America, specifically about people who are protesting against the Vietnam War. The soldier is confused and does not understand what the protesters mean. He does not like the war, but he knows that he is fighting for a greater cause - the freedom and safety of America. He asks his mother to tell the protesters what they're fighting for.
The lyrics show the soldier's patriotism and dedication to the American flag. He mentions the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Korean War as historical events that remind people of the importance of the flag. The soldier believes that it is essential to protect America's shores and that the world needs to learn that America will fight to protect itself. The chorus is a repetitive plea to his mother to tell people what they're fighting for.
The song can be interpreted as a tribute to soldiers and their sacrifices while fighting for their country. It highlights the patriotism and love of the flag that keeps many soldiers fighting. Besides, it expresses the soldier's feelings of isolation and confusion about the political climate in America. Overall, the lyrics are an emotional expression of a soldier's love for his country and the things he must fight for.
Line by Line Meaning
My dearest mama, they just gave us time to write
The singer introduces himself and talks about writing a letter to his mother.
I miss you and there's something on my mind tonight
The singer misses his mother and is thinking about something important.
At mail call, I received your letter here today
The singer received a letter from his mother during mail call.
But I don't understand the things you say
The artist didn't understand some of the things his mother said in her letter.
You tell me there are people marching in our streets
The artist's mother said there are people protesting in the streets.
The signs they carry say that we don't fight for peace
The protesters' signs suggest that the soldiers are not fighting for peace.
There's not a soldier in this foreign land, who likes this war
None of the soldiers stationed in the foreign land enjoy the war.
Oh mama, tell them what we're fighting for
The artist wants his mother to explain the reasons why they are fighting.
Tell them that we're fighting for the old red, white and blue
The soldiers are fighting for their country and their flag.
Did they forget Pearl Harbor and Korea too
The artist is reminding people about past wars that the US had to fight.
Another flag must never fly above our nation's door
The singer believes that no other flag should be raised above the US flag.
From Maine to California, there are many noble men
The artist acknowledges the bravery of soldiers across the country.
Who know the price of war and pray, we'd never fight again
The soldiers understand the costs of war and hope that it never happens again.
But the world must learn, that we will fight, we will protect our shore
The world needs to know that the US will fight to protect its homeland.
Oh mama, tell them what we're fighting for
The singer reiterates his request for his mother to explain the reasons why they are fighting.
Oh mama, tell them what we're fighting for
The artist repeats his request for his mother to explain the reasons why they are fighting.
Oh mama, tell them what we're fighting for
The artist repeats his request for his mother to explain the reasons why they are fighting.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM T. HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@laurendavie4326
Rest In Peace ✌️ ☮️ Tom and all fallen veterans
@joaonazareth3883
Saw Dave Live once great voice thanks for his patriotic song,from,Keith
@flomurdock
Yes, he had a great voice that I don't think many noticed or championed. Too bad.
@kennethbesselman5739
Written by Tom T Hall Prolific singer/sonwriter and writer of Harper Valley P.T.A.
@ellycarver1137
👍
@TheFishdoctor1952
Childhood years. No worry's, carefree days.
@wildbill2504
fish doctor dude do you have any respect for soldiers or heck the USA that the meanes thing you could say
@lordXAVIJAANBJERGNOG
Yes, I'm a bit confused how this song represents no worries.
@rockaura1717
lordXAVIJAANBJERGNOG did someone just get out of class?
@TheFishdoctor1952
@@wildbill2504 When you are 10 years old, you don't give a crap about all the political BS. This song was on his greatest hits album. Childhood years. No worry's, carefree days.