This song was influenced by the story of the largest Army court- martial of World War II. It is told in the book On American Soil by Jack Hamann.
To read more, here's the link:
http://www.jackhamann.com/court.html
Wrongfully Accused
In a prison full of animosity
A fight broke out and by daylight
A man was hangin’ from a tree
Two lawyers sent to
In defense of forty-three
Should of have had months to sort things out
They got less than two weeks
Only thing a man has got
Is his name
How do you get that good name back
After a false claim
Unpaid debts
Unpaid dues
How’s a man supposed to live when he has been
Wrongfully accused
Crime scene compromised
Segregation aggravation
Evidence suppressed by a man with
Higher aspirations
Had a cook did what he could
But that kitchen too hot
The matter of fact was the facts didn’t matter
The truth was tied in a knot
Only thing a man has got
Is his name
How do you get that good name back
After blame has left its stain
Unpaid debts
Unpaid dues
How’s a man supposed to live when he has been
Wrongfully accused
- - -
Justice is not supposed to be
A casualty of war
The years it took to right the wrong
Numbered sixty four
- - -
Sometimes a man who suffers
He finds a straighter spine
Carryin’ a weight that would break the back
Of yours and mine
Unpaid debts
Unpaid dues
How’s a man supposed to live when he has been
Wrongfully accused
Unpaid debts
Unpaid dues
It’s a wonder any man can live after he’s been
Wrongfully accused
©Standridge 2010