Fortunate sons & cheap hearts

Posted by ESC on September 18, 2004

"Fortunate son" is an expression that is being used a lot in the campaign for U.S. president. I take it to mean a child of privilege, someone who gets special favors because of his family wealth and connections.

My questions are:
1. Is that your understanding of the phrase?
2. Is the original source of the phrase the Creedence Clearwater Revival song (see below) or was it in use before?

Fortunate Son
(Creedence Clearwater Revival -- J.C. Fogerty)

Some folks are born made to wave the flag,
Ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief",
Ooh, 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.

www.creedence-online.net/lyrics/fortunate_son.php

Just to show that this is a bipartisan posting, I found this expression while I was googling "fortunate son":

"But just don't ask Kerry to release his service medical records--or the press might have to find out the meaning of the Nam term-'CHEAP HEARTS.'"
blog.johnkerry.com

Referring, I assume, to someone who got a Purple Heart with a minor wound.

• Fortunate sons & cheap hearts cornelius ruxpin 18/September/04
  • Fortunate sons & cheap hearts Brian from Shawnee 19/September/04