What techniques are used in I was only 19?

One technique that is used in the song is personification. An example of this in the chorus; “And night time’s just a jungle, and a barking M. 16”. This implies that when he sleeps at night, he dreams of Vietnamese jungles where he fought and hears the sound of a gun repeatedly firing.

What is the theme of the song I was only 19?

This iconic protest song written by John Schumann was released as a single in March 1983, hitting number one on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. The song presents a soldier’s experience of war and reflects on Australia’s attitude to involvement in the Vietnam conflict.

What is the poem I was only 19 about?

John Schumann’s song ‘I was only nineteen’ is a ‘national anthem’ to the Australian veterans who fought in Vietnam. It has become one of Australia’s best-loved and best-known songs, and it honours the memory of those who fought and those who died in that brutal war.

What perspective is I was only 19 from?

The song is written in the first person – that’s Mick’s point of view. Frank Hunt was in Mick’s platoon.

Did Redgum go to Vietnam?

Redgum’s John Schumann was the right age to fight in Vietnam, but his number didn’t come up. He never forgot how close he came, and when those who did fight returned, he paid attention to their struggles. “They were fundamentally altered,” he said.

Who wrote the poem I was only 19?

When Cold Chisel recorded Don Walker’s Khe Sanh, he thought he’d missed his chance, but then he wrote I was only 19, based on the experiences of his brother-in-law, Mick Storen, who had served with 6 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in Vietnam in 1969.

Who wrote the song I was only nineteen?

John SchumannI Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green) / Composer

When did Redgum write I was 19?

1983
I Was Only 19

“I Was Only 19”
Songwriter(s) John Schumann
Producer(s) Trevor Lucas
Redgum singles chronology
“Caught in the Act” (1982) “I Was Only 19” (1983) “ASIO” (1983)

When was Redgum I was only 19 made?

March 1983
I was only 19 was released in March 1983 when discussion of the Vietnam War, which had so fiercely divided public opinion a decade earlier, was generally avoided in polite conversation.

When was I was only 19 Redgum released?

I was only 19 was released in March 1983 when discussion of the Vietnam War, which had so fiercely divided public opinion a decade earlier, was generally avoided in polite conversation. A generation of veterans had been left feeling isolated and with a belief they had been forgotten by their country.

Where was I was only 19 written?

John Schumann – who was the lead singer of Redgum at the time the song was written – based the lyrics on the experiences of his brother-in-law Mick Storen, who served with 3 Platoon, A Company, 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in Vietnam in 1969.

Who is the lead singer of Redgum?

John Schumann AM
John Schumann

John Schumann AM
Occupation(s) Musician singer songwriter guitarist politician
Years active 1975–current
Labels ABC Music Larrikin CBS Epic Columbia Sony
Associated acts Redgum, John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew, Hugh McDonald

What is the meaning of the poem I was only 19?

STETS ANALYSIS: I WAS ONLY 19 SUBJECT The poem is describing the experiences of a young Australian soldier; 19 years of age, and his conscription into the Army during the Vietnam War. THEMES The underlying message that the poet is trying to communicate to the audience is that the experience of war is terrible.

How is imagery used in I was only 19?

In I Was Only 19, the imagery creates a very strong picture of the horrid conditions and the nightmares of the narrator. This is shown in the line. ‘and why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet’. It terrifies him because in the war the main form of transport and aerial attack was using choppers.

Who wrote ‘I was only nineteen’?

The text I have chosen to analyse in this written review is called ‘I Was Only Nineteen’, but also goes by the names ‘Only Nineteen’ and ‘A Walk in the Light Green’. It was composed by John Schumann, the lead singer/songwriter of the folk group Redgum.

What is the meaning of I was only 19 by Redgum?

I Was Only 19 by Redgum is a highly emotive and meaningful song, that caused a great deal of debate when it was released. This song is about the hardships of the Vietnam Veterans when they fought and also when they arrived back home in Australia. This is evident in the line ‘And can you tell me doctor why i still can’t get to sleep’.