Dave Van Ronk & Patrick Sky - Luang Prabang (Live 1973)

This is the only version of Dave Van Ronk and Pat Sky singing this song together. From 1973 WBAI concert. Sorry but I really can't find a picture of the two. Dave wrote the song, and Pat released it first on his explicit, obscene, sick, disgusting, notorious, politically incorrect album, Songs That Made America Famous, which has long been one of, if not the favorite album of mine. This is a parody of the traditional Byker Hill. Lyrics: When I came back from Luang Prabang, I didn’t have a thing where my balls used to hang; But I got a wooden medal and a fine harangue— Now I’m a f*****g hero! Mourn your dead land of the free! If you wanna be a hero, follow me! Mourn your dead land of the free! If you wanna be a hero, follow me! And now the boys all envy me: I fought for Christian Democracy With nothing but air where my balls used to be— Now I’m a f*****g hero! Mourn your dead land of the free! If you wanna be a hero, follow me! Mourn your dead land of the free! If you wanna be a hero, follow me! The one-and-twenty cannon thunder Into the bloody wild blue yonder For a patriotic ballless wonder— Now I’m a f*****g hero! Mourn your dead land of the free! If you wanna be a hero, follow me! Mourn your dead land of the free! If you wanna be a hero, follow me! In Luang Prabang there is a spot Where the corpses of your brothers rot; And every corpse is a patriot, And every corpse is a hero! Mourn your dead land of the free! If you wanna be a hero, follow me! Mourn your dead land of the free! If you wanna be a hero, follow me!

Added 14 Jun 2026