Sullivan by Caroline's Spine

Album: Monsoon (1997)

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This is about 5 boys from Waterloo, Iowa who were all drafted into World War II, leaving their mother alone at home. The song tells about how the mother waits for them to come home, only receiving non-detailed letters about their situation on a battleship in the South Pacific. In the end of the song, she receives a telegram from Uncle Sam (the US Government) saying all her sons have passed away. This is a true story. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Sam - Elkader, IA

Comments: 10

Natalie from Lorena, TxI see a lot of comments about the meaning of the song, but I don't see anything about how the music is truly made. The beginning riff with the guitar is just spot on with this lyric. I also love how they use the repetition, "Say goodbye, bye, bye, Mrs. Sullivan/And don't you cry, cry, cry." Using that repetition gave us the satisfaction of singing along with the song. Honestly, the music behind the lyrics and meanings is just as amazing.
April 1, 2021
Natalie, Age 15
Chris Word from Phoenix Az@Scott from Kankakee, Saving Private Ryan is actually based on events that happened to the Niland brothers, as a result of what happened to the Sullivan brothers changes in the law were made, and so the Army thinking all but the youngest Niland had been killed, and ordered a unit to find him and bring him home. My middle daughter, a H.S. junior just got a history assignment for WW2, and she is going to do it on the Sullivan brothers, and include this song with her report. Oh btw you really should wiki the Niland brothers it's quite the amazing story.
Cory from Schaller, IaThe policy the government made was the Sole Survivor policy. My dad says him my uncle werent allowed to be on the same ship when he was in the Navy.
Randy from Flint, Miall the boys in the Sulliven familly ware drafted as for the changes the millitary made i dont know but i know thate they ware all drafted
Scott from Kankakee , IlThe movie "Saving Private Ryan" is in fact somewhat based on the Sullivan Brothers. The govt. had enacted a policy preventing the loss of an entire family because of the Sullivans and as a result sent in a team to find Pvt. Ryan. I believe this is commented on at the begining of the film.
Erica from Saude, IaThe government didn't just send Mrs. Sullivan a telegram. The family was told by three men from the Navy's drafting dept. Also the family recieved a letter from the president at that time.
Mike from Charlton, MaThe Sullivans story had nothing to do with the movie "Saving Private Ryan". They weren't actaully drafted into the Navy, they enlisted on their own. They didn't serve on a battleship, but the light cruiser U.S.S. Juneau, which was destroyed on while protecting a convoy to resupply troops on Guadalcanal.
Eric from Orlando, FlThe military changed their policy so that siblings would not be stationed on the same ship/plane to avoid a repeat of the Sullivan tragedy. This did serve as inspiration for Saving Private Ryan (the true story, not the song).
Annie Ladner from Columbus, MsThis is actually based on a true story of five brothers stationed on the same ship in WWII. Their ship was attacked and all five died in 1942. A movie was made about them in 1944 called "The Fighting Sullivans." Now, this I'm not sure about, but I think after that incident it became military policy to avoid that kind of tragedy... and I assume that's where the plot of Private Ryan came from.
Wilfred from Melbourne, AustraliaThis sounds a lot like the plot to the movie "Saving Private Ryan"... are the song, movie and actual event connected in some way?

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