Some good guesses. But not quite the cigar. Yes, it's about war, but World War One, NOT Vietnam. The members of America were children of American servicemen in England, and they were well aware of the contributions of American fliers defending the UK during that conflict. But only the (relatively) primitive biplanes of that era would have been grounded by something as simple as fog, and a fire to stand around on the INSIDE of a building would fit the period also. "The Sandman" would represent an enemy flying ace (like the Red Baron) that this flier is pursuing or being pursued by.
But remember, as with ANY America song, a good portion of the lyrics are there simply because they sound good together, and don't always have intirnsic meaning. (Check out "Tinman".)
Some good guesses. But not quite the cigar. Yes, it's about war, but World War One, NOT Vietnam. The members of America were children of American servicemen in England, and they were well aware of the contributions of American fliers defending the UK during that conflict. But only the (relatively) primitive biplanes of that era would have been grounded by something as simple as fog, and a fire to stand around on the INSIDE of a building would fit the period also. "The Sandman" would represent an enemy flying ace (like the Red Baron) that this flier is pursuing or being pursued by.
But remember, as with ANY America song, a good portion of the lyrics are there simply because they sound good together, and don't always have intirnsic meaning. (Check out "Tinman".)