Ain't I Right

"**Ain't I Right**" is an American anti-communist propaganda song written, produced, and sung by American singer-songwriter and NASCAR racer Marty Robbins in June 1966. It criticizes the counterculture and anti-war movements, as well as opposition to the Vietnam War and the Left.

## History

Written during the rise of American counterculture and opposition to the Vietnam War, "Ain't I Right" accuses counterculture activists and anti-war protestors of being communists and socialists intent on undermining and disrupting American life and values, especially the American war effort in Vietnam, and argues their intent is not to "help the people", but rather to maximize suffering and misery among them.

Robbins describes counterculture and anti-war activists as "a bearded bathless bunch" and "tramps", including "a minister or two" and "a priest, a nun, a rabbi, and an educated man" converted to leftism. Robbins alleges they are supported by "two-faced politicians" that promote draft-card burning and disagreeing with the U.S. government; he makes specific mention of a certain politician suggesting Americans "send some blood" and support North Vietnam, and suggests that the he "keep the blood" and go to Vietnam himself to fight (and die) instead. Robbins argues these politicians make the United States weak, and proposes that they be removed from office in favor of "strong and able leaders" capable of defeating North Vietnam and the American Left, winning the Cold War, and preventing an invasion of the United States by the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc.

## Lyrics

Robbins frames the first half of the song around a loose plot detailing leftist activists visiting a town in the American South in an attempt to convert Southerners to leftist ideologies, only to cause trouble and misery before leaving with little care for the town's denizens.

You came down to this Southern town last summer

To show the folks a brand new way of life

But all you've shown the folks around here is trouble

And you've only added misery to their strife

Your concern is not to help the people

And I'll say again, though it's been often said

Your concern is just to bring discomfort, my friend

And your policy is just a little red

Now, ain't I right (Ain't he right?)

(Ain't he right?)

It matters not to you how people suffer

And should they, you'd consider that a gain

You bring a lot of trouble to the town and then you leave

That's part of your Communistic game

I detect a little Communism

I can see it in the things you do

Communism, socialism, call it what you like

There's very little difference in the two

Now, ain't I right (Ain't he right?)

(Ain't he right?)

Your followers sometimes have been a bearded, bathless bunch

There's even been a minister or two

A priest, a nun, a rabbi and an educated man

Have listened and been taken in by you

Ah, the country's full of two-faced politicians

Who encourage you with words that go like this

Burn your draft card if you like, it's good to disagree

That's a get acquainted Communistic kiss

Now, ain't I right (Ain't he right?)

(Ain't he right?)

One politician said it would be nice to send some blood

And help the enemy in Vietnam

That's what he says, here's what I say

Let's just keep the blood

Instead let's send that politician man

Let's rid the country of the politicians

Who call us tramps that march out in our street

Protesting those who wanna fight for freedom, my friend

This kind of leader makes our country weak

Now, ain't I right (Ain't he right?)

(Ain't he right?)

Let's look and find the strong and able leaders

It's time we found just how our neighbors stand

If we're to win this war with Communism

Let's fight it here as well as Vietnam

Let's rise as one and meet our obligations

So Communistic boots will never trod

Across the fields of freedom that were given to us

With the blessing of our great almighty God

Across the fields of freedom that were given to us

With the blessing of our great almighty God

## References

1. ↑ Marty Robbins alphabetical song list at Tunecaster
2. ↑ Pop Goes The Country Vol. 32: Johnny Cash – "A Boy Named Sue" (1969) (2019-08-15). Kephart, Zackary. *The Musical Divide*.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Marty Robbins - Ain't I Right. *Lyricsjonk.com*.
4. ↑ Marty Robbins: "Ain't I Right" (1966) (2017-02-02). *The Cold War*.