They took upon deferments—
Those lucky, wealthy families
Their children did not suffer.
Their dad was not criticized
For getting larynx stabbed
While saving his battle buddy
Falling through a mine trap.
Now I sound like a chipmunk,
Caring for my poor kids,
Making up to my wife
For not joining the Coast Guard
Or Moving to Canada
Where I’m singing right now.
I’m an expatriate now.
Because America can’t treat veterans properly.

Drafted from the poor class,
I’m a Vietnam veteran now. Why
Must I suffer like this?
I had no choice, so why am I pensive?
I’ve been through a quagmire
Of opposition
And difficulties.
I’m a Vietnam veteran.


Enemy bodies everywhere
Once I stepped on a guy who was half dead.
Twenty-two times more of their bodies lay dead,
Yet conditions were getting harder.
We lost South Vietnamese support.
They began fighting among themselves
Creating a messy, swampy war.

Drafted from the poor class,
I’m a Vietnam veteran now. Why
Must I suffer like this?
I had no choice, so why am I pensive?
I’ve been through a quagmire
Of opposition
And difficulties.
I’m a Vietnam veteran.

Now I’m treated unfairly,
Nobody cares that I’ve walked through
Napalm, Agent Orange and cut-throats.
That I held my General William’s head
While his soldiers were committing suicide,
Murdering and drinking
And using drugs.
Oh—

The conditions were harsh—
New bugs and diseases.
I still have gunshot scars
From whom I thought
Was a civilian.
I’ve been through a quagmire
Of opposition
And difficulties.

Drafted from the poor class,
I’m a Vietnam veteran now. Why
Must I suffer like this?
I had no choice, so why am I pensive?
I’ve been through a quagmire
Of opposition
And difficulties.
I’m a Vietnam veteran.