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In 1965 Vietnam seemed like just another foreign war,
but it wasn't.
It was different in many ways, as so were those that did the fighting.
In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was 26...
In Vietnam he was 19.
In inininininin Vietnam he was 19.
(TV announcer's voice)
The shooting and fighting of the past two weeks continued today
25 miles west of Saigon
I really wasn't sure what was going on (Vet's Voice)
Nininini Nineteen, 19, Ni-nineteen 19
19,19,19,19
In Vietnam the combat soldier typically served a twelve month tour of duty but
was exposed to hostile fire almost everyday
Ninininininininininin 19 nininininninin 19
Hundreds of Thousands of men who saw heavy combat in Vietnam were arrested
since discharge
Their arrest rate is almost twice that of non-veterans of the same age.
There are no accurate figures of how many of these men have been incarcerated.
But, a Veterans Administration study concludes that the greater of Vets
exposure to combat could more likely affect his chances of being arrested or
convicted.
This is one legacy of the Vietnam War
(Singing Girls)
All those who remember the war
They won't forget what they've seen..
Destruction of men in their prime
whose average was 19
Dedededededede-Destruction
Dedededededede-Destruction
War, War
Dededede-Destruction, wa-wa-War, wa-War, War
Dedededededede-Destruction
War, War
After World War II the Men came home together on troop ships, but the Vietnam
Vet often arrived home within 48 hours of jungle combat
Perhaps the most dramatic difference between World War II and Vietnam was
coming home.. .none of them received a hero's welcome
None of them received a heroes welcome, none of them, none of them
Nenene Nenene None of them, none of them, none of them (etc...)
None of them received a hero's welcome
None of them received a hero's welcome
According to a Veteran's Administration study
Half of the Vietnam combat veterans suffered from what Psychiatrists call
Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder
Many vets complain of alienation, rage, or guilt
Some succumb to suicidal thoughts
Eight to Ten years after coming home almost eight-hundred-thousand men are
still fighting the Vietnam War
(Singing Girls)
Dedededededede-Destruction
Nininininininininin Nineteen, 19, Ni-nineteen 19
19,19,19,19
Nininininininininin Nineteen, 19, Ni-nineteen 19
19,19,19,19
(Soldiers Voice)
When we came back it was different.. Everybody wants to know "How'd it
happened to those guys over there
There's gotta be something wrong somewhere
We did what we had to do
There's gotta be something wrong somewhere
People wanted us to be ashamed of what it made us
Dad had no idea what he went to fight and he is now
All we want to do is come home
All we want to do is come home
What did we do it for
All we want to do is come home
Was it worth it?
but it wasn't.
It was different in many ways, as so were those that did the fighting.
In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was 26...
In Vietnam he was 19.
In inininininin Vietnam he was 19.
The shooting and fighting of the past two weeks continued today
25 miles west of Saigon
I really wasn't sure what was going on (Vet's Voice)
19,19,19,19
was exposed to hostile fire almost everyday
Ninininininininininin 19 nininininninin 19
since discharge
Their arrest rate is almost twice that of non-veterans of the same age.
There are no accurate figures of how many of these men have been incarcerated.
But, a Veterans Administration study concludes that the greater of Vets
exposure to combat could more likely affect his chances of being arrested or
convicted.
All those who remember the war
They won't forget what they've seen..
Destruction of men in their prime
whose average was 19
Dedededededede-Destruction
Dedededededede-Destruction
War, War
Dededede-Destruction, wa-wa-War, wa-War, War
Dedededededede-Destruction
War, War
Vet often arrived home within 48 hours of jungle combat
Perhaps the most dramatic difference between World War II and Vietnam was
coming home.. .none of them received a hero's welcome
None of them received a heroes welcome, none of them, none of them
Nenene Nenene None of them, none of them, none of them (etc...)
None of them received a hero's welcome
None of them received a hero's welcome
Half of the Vietnam combat veterans suffered from what Psychiatrists call
Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder
Many vets complain of alienation, rage, or guilt
Some succumb to suicidal thoughts
Eight to Ten years after coming home almost eight-hundred-thousand men are
still fighting the Vietnam War
Dedededededede-Destruction
19,19,19,19
Nininininininininin Nineteen, 19, Ni-nineteen 19
19,19,19,19
When we came back it was different.. Everybody wants to know "How'd it
happened to those guys over there
There's gotta be something wrong somewhere
We did what we had to do
There's gotta be something wrong somewhere
People wanted us to be ashamed of what it made us
Dad had no idea what he went to fight and he is now
All we want to do is come home
All we want to do is come home
What did we do it for
All we want to do is come home
Was it worth it?
Song Info
Submitted by
nelly On May 07, 2002
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Just have to add that the unconventionality of the song makes it even more hard-hitting. It really creates an atmosphere that tells the story. I just wish it hadn't have had to be written, and I really wish the vets of recent wars didn't have to go through the same things. When will the old guys in the governments all over the world stop making the young guys suffer for their belligerent attitudes?
The number 19 refers to the average age of the soldiers killed in Vietnam.
It's obviously about the bad effects of war, in this case, the Vietnam War..another classic Paul Hardcastle song.
Bueno
...No. I hardly think you can call a song "a perpetuation of imperialism" purely because it looks at the problems faced by the western army. He only chose to attack this one facet of the war, it doesn't necessarily mean he thought everything else about it was fine.
such a good song. so many version, so great. i really like the german mix as well.
song is very touching and deep.
NONE OF THEM RECIEVED A HEROES WELCOME NONE OF THEM NONE OF THEM!!!!
Obviously you never have had to point an M-16 at anyone... lately.
Interestingly, while the song denounces the war it's still from a very western viewpoint, which is arguably a perpetuation of imperialism.
THIS SONG IS ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!! we watched it in history. they like to... rub the point in your face a little? nnninininineteen, nineteen
This song is hilarious? It's saying that the average age of soldiers that died in Vietman was 19. How in the hell is that hilarious? It's incredibly sad. These young men were drafted into war and killed when their lives had barely begun.
This song is hilarious? It's saying that the average age of soldiers that died in Vietman was 19. How in the hell is that hilarious? It's incredibly sad. These young men were drafted into war and killed when their lives had barely begun.
You must be either be heartless or completely clueless. I really hope it's the latter.
You must be either be heartless or completely clueless. I really hope it's the latter.