So after the OM night a few days ago, i swore to myself i would get stuck back into my blues/BLIM practice and stay away from just playing songs. This worked well for a day (!) and then, whilst bouncing around in Justin’s song lessons, i came across his lesson on a song by the Australian group Redgum, “I was only 19” (about the Vietnam war). I immediately loved the song, which I’d never heard before, and liked the finger picking technique Justin was using. After a few hours working on the lesson i realised that the finger picking technique Justin was using was way beyond me at the minute in terms of being able to make music with it (i just don’t have the speed). However, as i had started trying to learn the chords and lyrics i thought i would continue but using my own (simple arrangement) - i’ll come back to Justin’s arrangement/technique in the future. Anyway, as i couldn’t find a cover of the song by anyone on the Community i thought i would record the first version of my effort just to flag up the song to others - its a bit rough but hopefully you’ll get the vibe - have a listen to Justin’s lesson and the song itself - well worth the time (i think).
Nice one John I need to check that out and ill come back to you cheers HEC
Great song Jon, didn’t hear it before. I added it to my regular playlist to listen on my commute to work. 
I listened to the original and your take. Well done mate, that is really good for few hours work, especially with singing. I feel the slower tempo would work better, I think you are playing it faster compared to the original?
@Boris1565
Cheers Boris - I didn’t realise I was playing it fast - maybe that’s why the 8 note picking is challenging for me ie I’m trying to go too fast. It’s a nice song so definitely worth a bit more practice and focus👍
I saw John Schumann play this live at the Port Fairy Folk Festival circa 1987. Great song and quite an important song in Australia history. At the time vets were fighting for recognition after returning home, many with PTSD and others with illness from exposure to agent orange (a chemical used during the war). This song went to number 1 in the charts and was a catalyst for helping vets get the compensation they deserved.
@chris_m
That must have been great to hear live Chris (hope I haven’t ruined it for you). When I checked out Justin’s lesson at the weekend I contacted my (guitarist) friend in Brisbane and he was straight back to me with the sorts of comments you are making. The sentiment reminds me a lot of Eric Bogle’s “and the band played…” (with the haunting version by the Pogues being my favourite).
Great song Jon. Have never heard this song before.
Not at all. It’s always good to see a great song get exposure to a new audience, already a couple of comments above of people who hadn’t heard it before. Apart from the lyrics I like the fingerstyle riff in this.
Very good song Jon, didn’t know it but I’ll look it up now.
Thanks Jon for putting the spotlight onto this song. Never heard it before, as many others, but it really needs an airing! Going to check out the original now.
Well done Jon, and congrats and what you achieved in playing this in a short space of time.
It certainly is as already mentioned a very important song in Australian history and by a great group. There’s a great interview with John regarding the writing of this song and its characters that’s worth watching.
I play/sing this one regularly at home but have always shied away from recording it for AVOYP.
Well done with your version Jon👍 great song great group.
Having checked out the original and your performance again, I’ve returned to add another comment…the first time I’ve done this!. Recently I’ve been introduced to two anti war songs, both written by Australians and both conveying very strong messages, very ably. Thank you for sharing this one, it has a message that needs to be remembered. Certainly in the times we live now.
The other btw was And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda.
I’ll check out that interview later Craig. When you play the song, do you use Justin’s 8 notes per bar finger picking pattern? I tried my best with it, but couldn’t get it fast enough, so resorted to a simple 4 notes per bar pattern. I’m just wondering whether the 8 notes per bar is doable for mere mortals and worth persevering with?
@Willsie
Cheers John - great to hear you like these 2 songs. Sharing songs and ideas on the community is great - I’ve uncovered so much “new to me” music that I now love.
Hey Jon,
I’m sure anything is doable if enough time is put into it 
However I rarely use finger style it’s probably something I should spend more time on but at the moment I have other priorities in the journey 
This is really just a sharing video for anyone wanting some fast strumming practice to a cool song. I remember this song by Amy Macdonald from like 20 years ago and heard a cover of it at a gig last week and thought I’d give it a go. Capo at F4 (to make the chords easy) and only one progression throughout - Am, Fmaj7, C and Em. Base strumming pattern I used is D DUD DUD DU UDU but then just mix it up to fit the words.