Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son

"Fortunate Son" as written by and John C. Fogerty....
Some folks are born, made to wave the flag
Ooo, they're red, white and blue
And when the band plays "Hail to the Chief"
Ooo, they point the cannon at you, Lord

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no

Some folks are born, silver spoon in hand
Lord, don't they help themselves, y'all
But when the taxman comes to the door
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yeah

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no

Yeah, yeah
Some folks inherit star spangled eyes
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask 'em, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer "More! More! More!", y'all

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, one
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no, no, no
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son, no, no, no


Lyrics submitted by 3ssence, edited by Stettin, boomertuner

"Fortunate Son" as written by John C Fogerty

Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Fortunate Son song meanings
Add your thoughts

80 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +11
    General CommentThis song means that poor people had to go to the war in Vietnam and the rich people didnt.
    Weezamamma420on May 17, 2002   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • +10
    General CommentThe song is great because though it opposes the war, but it also isnt ragging on the troops.
    Tragically-Hercon July 22, 2007   Link
  • +8
    General CommentThe crooked vietnam war...... damn the man
    DaDreadlockChickon May 15, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General CommentI think this song was a hit just because it treated of a problem regarding of whole north-american society. That would be very different if it spoke about the social discrimination in another parts of the world.
    That's a great problem of american society: it worry with problems when they reach its country, only. A great nation must be more human and free of prejuices. American people, you have some great artists. Use their words to open your eyes about your leaders!
    Júlio Ramaleon June 18, 2002   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • +3
    General CommentGod damn draft, fuck Nixon!
    sleighteon July 28, 2002   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • +3
    General CommentIt tells the frustration of the U.S. citizens forced over seas to fight while politician's sons dodged the draft.
    sweetpoeton October 14, 2002   Link
  • +3
    My OpinionMy view, and I think many will agree, the rich had a choice to send their children to war, the poor and middle class did not. 'Some folks are born, made to wave the flag', meaning once a child was born of a poor family, that was it, you were bound to go to war, no dispute. 'Some folks are born, silver spoon in hand', meaning the rich, born with a bit of money in your back pocket and you were safe from the horrors of war. All comes down to how awful the government were and still are. Thanks for reading.
    Nashingtonon November 16, 2013   Link
  • +2
    General CommentJohnson didn't start the war. it started with Eisenhower sending "military advisors". the first troops were sent in under Kennedy. Johnson just inherited an already growing conflict and accelerated the nation into war.

    As for the song I see how the problem of the discrimination based on econimic and social status but there is also another. the song also shows how the public gets too carried away on patriotism.

    "it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son." - i interprit this to be a knock on the military die hards who will degrade you because the don't deem your patriotism to be as high as theirs.

    the war was ill planned and the reasons of it were lost in the politics. it parrallels the war in Iraq today. what exactly are we fighing for? Back home we have heinously untrustworthy leaders acting almost like a dictator under the idea that we are fighting against terror and for freedom. the issue with this war, however, isn't how the rich get out of the draft. the issue is that we are fighting another war that is unnessesary. Unfortunatly we have gone to far to pull out of it and now we must put our troops in great harm to try to clean up Bush's mess. what does america stand for anymore?
    Boo Urnson June 07, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General CommentCCR's songs are basically the Vietnam soundtrack... This song was even on Forrest Gump, when he was shipping out to Nam.
    MihoNinjaon February 02, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General CommentPurely as a response to the last post, I have an interesting thought for you to consider. I recently saw a lecture by Chalmers Johnson, author of "Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic". He suggests that the problem is not the draft but rather the imperialistic way in which America conducts its foreign policy. Johnson refers to World War II, in which many people were drafted. The difference was that it was clearly a just war. People were willing to be sent to the front lines, to truly die for freedom. In the modern day, however, people would be sent to die for principles they may not agree with. He proposes that a volunteer standing army only creates problems, and has led to the creation of the military-industrial complex that plauges our nation's foreign policy and the world. A conscripted army acts as a check against the system; the caveat is that it should never be deployed to an unjust war. Anyway, for the most part I agree with you; Johnson does raise an interesting point, though.
    ctdunstanon November 20, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain