Vietnam Blues

Album: There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere (1965)
Charted: 127
Play Video
  • I was out on the leave at the time just duckin' the fog nosin' around like a hungry dog
    In that crazy place called Washington DC
    I saw a crowd of people on the White House lawn all carrying signes about VietNam
    So I went over to see what was goin' on
    It was a strange looking bunch but then I never could understand some people
    Oh a fellow came to me with a list in his hand he said we're gatherin' names to send
    The telegram of sympathy then he handed me a pen
    I said I reckon this is goin' to kids and wives
    My friends over there who're givin' their lives
    He said ah ah buddy this is goin' to Ho-Chi-Min
    I said Ho-Chi who he said Ho-Chi-Min people's leader North VietNam
    Oh I wasn't really sure I was hearin' him right
    I though I'd better move before I got in a fight
    Cause my ears were hurtin' and my ball started hit my lick
    Then I thought of another telegram that I've just read
    Tellin' my buddy's wife that her husband was dead
    It wasn't too long till I was feelin' downright sick
    Another held the sign that said we won't fight
    I thought to myself boy ain't that right
    To leave a lot of our soldiers die instead
    I said it's a shame that every man who ever died up there that far off land
    Was dyin' for that you wouldn't have to wake up dead
    Course he looked at me like I was kinda crazy just another warmonger
    Oh I left that place and I went downtown and hit first bar that I'd found
    To cool myself off and pacify my brain
    You see I was on orders to VietNam little old place just north to Saigon
    Had about an hour to catch myself a plane
    So all I mean to say is I don't like dyin' either but man I ain't gonna crawl Writer/s: KRISTOFFER KRISTOFFERSON
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

Zac Hanson

Zac HansonSongwriter Interviews

Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.