If You Wanna Be A Hero Follow Van Ronk

This song has got to be one of the most raw patriotic war songs I've ever heard. Dave Van Ronk was the leader of the New York folk scene in the 60's. Residing in Greenwich Village where clubs like the Cafe Wha?, Folk City, The Bitter End and the Gaslight Cafe were just a few that sparked the careers of Bob Dylan, Joan Beaz, Pete Seeger, Weavers, The Kingston Trio, Phil Ochs and many many more. But with all the big names to come out Van Ronk was always considered the king of the Village. His rough and scratchy voice fits perfectly with this bitter song. A song about a veteran coming back with battle scars and nothing left, still getting left in the dirt with no respect for what he has done. The song is as raw as it gets and I love it, its one of my favorite Van Ronk songs to date.