Goodnight Saigon
We met as soul matesOn Parris IslandWe left as inmatesFrom an asylumAnd we were sharpAs sharp as knivesAnd we were so gung hoTo lay down our lives
We came in spasticLike tameless horsesWe left in plasticAs numbered corpsesAnd we learned fastTo travel lightOur arms were heavyBut our bellies were tight
We had no home frontWe had no soft soapThey sent us PlayboyThey gave us Bob HopeWe dug in deepAnd shot on sightAnd prayed to Jesus ChristWith all of our might
We had no camerasTo shoot the landscapeWe passed the hash pipeAnd played our Doors tapesAnd it was darkSo dark at nightAnd we held on to each otherLike brother to brotherWe promised our mothers we'd writeAnd we would all go down togetherWe said we'd all go down togetherYes we would all go down together
Remember CharlieRemember BakerThey left their childhoodOn every acreAnd who was wrong?And who was right?It didn't matter in the thick of the fight
We held the dayIn the palmOf our handThey ruled the nightAnd the nightSeemed to last as long as six weeksOn Parris Island
We held the coastlineThey held the highlandsAnd they were sharpAs sharp as knivesThey heard the hum of our motorsThey counted the rotorsAnd waited for us to arriveAnd we would all go down togetherWe said we'd all go down togetherYes we would all go down together