All the Folkways and Broadside recordings are still available from the Smithsonian. This link will open a new window -- www.si.edu/folkways/.

"Pinkville" was the military map designation for the village also called "Song My" and "My Lai 4." Early news reports tended to use "Pinkville" but these events eventually became known as "The My Lai Massacre."

From the time helicopter Captian Hugh Thompson informed headquarters that American troops were slaughtering unarmed civilians, mostly women, children and the elderly, until headquarters issued a cease fire was eight hours. The massacre had been over for six.

PINKVILLE HELICOPTER words & music by Thom Parrott Copyright © 1968 by Thom Parrott As they flew over Pinkville, the choppers could see, The slaughter that went on below them. And they radioed the dying of the women and kids, So that general headquarters would know them. Then one circled down to a place on the ground Where there were children who were wounded and crying. And he took them in the chopper to take the kids out So that they wouldn't be among the dying. They were on their way out when below them they saw A little two year old baby So they went down again and the pilot got out Muttering "The whole world has gone crazy." The baby was cradled in the Captain's arms Wounded and crying and bloody When a Lieutenant came up and said "Put the kid down And get your chopper on out of here, buddy." The Captain looked down at the Lieutenant's gun That was smoky and hot from the killing. He said "If I have to give my life for this child, Then, by God, you know that I'm willing." Then the gunner who stood in the helicopter's door Called out to the Lieutenant, "We're calling your bluff. There's been killing enough. If your gun starts more, mine will end it." So they flew the kids out to the medics who said, "War is hell. Even babies get wounded." The pilot just looked at his gunner and shook. Said "To kill them was what was intended." As they flew over Pinkville, the choppers could see, The slaughter that went on below them. And they radioed the dying of the women and kids, So that general headquarters would know them. The events described in this song occurred March 16, 1968. The pilot was Hugh Thompson, the gunner was Lawrence Colburn and the co-pilot was Glenn Andreotta. Thompson and Andreotta took turns leaving the helicopter to search thru the bodies for living children and staying at the controls while Colburn covered them. Andreotta was killed in combat a few weeks after the My Lai Massacre. These three courageous and honorable men received the Soldier's Medal in March, 1998, for heroism not involving conflict with the enemy. Their story has been told by 60 Minutes. Broadside Ballads, Volume 5: Time Is Running Out Folkways Recordings -- 05312, 1970 Side I Time Is Running Out -- Wendy Smith Good Mornin' Brother Hudson -- Frederick D. Kirkpatrick Not Enough To Live On -- Mike Millius Pinkville Helicopter -- Tom Parrott Farewell, Mr. Charlie -- F. D. Kirkpatrick Ballad of Martin Luther King -- M. Millius Backstreets of Downtown August -- Anne Romaine Nothin' But His Blood -- F. D. Kirkpatrick Side II We Shall Be Free Together -- Roland Mousaa To Be A Killer -- Wes Houston Elijah Good -- W. Houston Pinkville Helicopter -- W. Houston Hell No! I Ain't Gonna Go! -- Matthew Jones, Elaine Laron A Pickax and a Stone -- Jimmy Collier This link will open a new window -- www.si.edu/folkways/.