Student Visas - Corb Lund (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins

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Student Visas - Corb Lund (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins

This one was heavily requested. To my knowledge, Corb Lund's song Student Visas is about the U.S.-backed and funded right-wing rebel groups that were active from 1979 to 1990 to act in direct opposition to the Marxist Sandinista Junta of National Reconstruction Government in Nicaragua which came to power in 1979 following the Nicaraguan Revolution.

During their war against the Nicaraguan government, the Contras committed numerous human rights violations,, and acts of terrorism were central to their overall military strategy. Supporters of the Contras tried to downplay these violations, particularly the Reagan administration in the US, which engaged in a campaign to influence public opinion in favor of the Contras, while covertly encouraging the Contras to attack civilian targets.

From the beginning, the rebels received financial and military support from the United States government, and their military aims depended on it. After US support was banned by Congress, the Reagan administration covertly continued it. These illegal activities culminated in the Iran–Contra affair.

This is just one of many instances in which the United States government backed violent right wing reactionary terrorist groups in their efforts to stifle left wing democratic governments, that would otherwise fight back against US imperialism and corporate interests abroad.

Lyrics:
They took away our dogtags, they had us grow our hair
They gave us student visas when we were over there
They staged us out of Hondo al este del Salvador
I guess you'd call us Contras but no one calls much no more
There ain't no fun in killin folk and I dont wanna do no more

My great great rode at Shiloh and Grandpa drove a tank
Daddy was air cavalry, flew choppers in Da Nang
I worked mostly clandestine, the branch I should not say
We played with better guns and I could use the extra pay
Did Reagan give the order? Did cocaine pay the bill?
They said we's fightin' communists but it was kinda hard to tell
There ain't no fun in killin folk and I dont wanna do no more

This was before Blackhawks and RPGs were king
My buddy on the door gun, he never felt a thing
When our Huey caught a rocket and both the pilots killed
And it pitched us over sideways on some Nicaraguan hill
My back felt like its broken, my legs I could not feel
I kept on shooting Communists but it was kind of hard to tell
There ain't no fun in killin folk and I ain't gonna do no more

I never did heal up right from injuries sustained
Officially in Germany, officially while we trained
I remember all their faces, I dream about them still
I guess we's fightin communists but it was kinda hard to tell
There ain't no fun in killin folk, and I dont wanna do no more

I speak the cold logistic that warriors speak so well
Foxtrot Tango Whiskey and I'll see you in hell
A soldierly bravado, an unspeakable guilt
That village, it was Communist but it was kinda hard to tell
There ain't no fun in killin folk and I dont wanna do no more
Believe me, Ive done plenty boys, and I ain't gonna do no more.

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I would add that as Corb Lund tells it this song is the story of a man he met at a concert he performed in the south. The man was drunk and as he told his story he drifted between bravado and melancholy

harrycarter

I am absolutely speechless. Seth, your ability to capture the emotion behind every song you sing is impeccable. I genuinely think you express the emotions behind your songs more than anyone else I've ever listened to. As soon as you started singing I stopped everything I was doing so I could truly listen. It's like every time you sing you're telling a story beyond the lyrics- like your voice captures the history behind the song as well. In The Kerry Recruit, you capture the optimistic, naive spirit of a young man seeking adventure and a life beyond the fields. In this one you capture the jaded spirit of soldiers used and tossed aside by their government with little left to show for their sacrifice- you can hear the betrayal at being left broken and stranded, the price paid far outweighing any compensation offered. Each new song you release is another journey you take me on and I cannot overstate how much your music has come to mean to me. Even if you don't reply, I hope you see this and know the impact you have on the people who listen to your music.

Edit: I only just read the description and possibly wildly misinterpreted the intent behind the song but it's still incredibly powerful nonetheless and the emotions your war/military-inspired songs trigger are incredibly potent

arche

I love that you’re going through this album. Your style fits all of the songs so well.

shayleemagoo

Welcome home, Seth! I missed you so much(: sorry I didn’t see this first. Last time, tho it didn’t show, I was your very first comment, view, and like. Holy mercy, your deep notes… this is such a 180 from the range that I am used to but I love it!!!
I adore this and the quantities of love and time that it was made with. I’m so proud of you and I really admire how you stand out💚💚💚 you’re delightfully distinctive. I applaud you and I am blessed to be trusted with you(:
Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of—tho I didn’t faithfully care until two months later—the first time I discovered you! My very first Seth song was Northwest Passage on 9/12/21(: and I love growing with you and your talent every day. At the time, I had no idea how significant you and your stories (through these songs) would become… you are an instant calm and comfort, a rare refuge in a world where I have none, and a moment where everything is alright. You (and your likes) help me make it through impossible days and moments.
Thank you, my friend, for taking time to encourage me when you have. Genuinely, Seth, your words and your care mean so much to me, even many months later, that I’m crying as I write this💚💚💚 you have no idea… you took care of me when I had no one and I am forever grateful for that and I hope to reciprocate that positive impact on your life. I love you💚💚💚

menyou

Hey Seth, I think you could do a great version of a song called "Hangin on the old barbed wire." Cumbawumba did a version but its a song that came out of the trenches during WW1. Either way your covers are great as always.

domenicocarnovale

Song request: Blood on the risers (gory gory what a helluva way to die)

rachelmunro

I love it. Maybe even as much as the original. Using the "Alpha Golf Tango Hotel" threw me at first, because I'd never heard the live version with that part. Works out nicely to keep the rhyme with the previous line though. An excellent cover as usual!

WaynettePorter

A dear friend of mine was in Nicaragua working in a coffee plantation during the contras.He believed in the Sandesta, but sadly the revolution failed. He still talks about how proud he was to support a revolutionary government before it went south and failed. Just another revolution derailed by the good old USA

isaiahbasaldua

This was a beautiful beautiful cover of this song Seth, Great job as always! Looking forward to hearing Padraig Pearse from the Wolfe Tones! You are absolutely crushing every song recommendation with your awesome voice! Keep it up! 👍👍👍✊✊✊

persianprince