Lyric discussion by Sirreal 

Cover art for Devil's Arcade lyrics by Bruce Springsteen

not sure about the rest but pretty sure that the lines: You sleep in a dream Your buddies Charlie and gin And wake with a faint desert dust On your skin

A voice says "Don't worry, I'm here," Just whisper the word to mum In my ear. sounds like someone waking screaming from nightmares, possibly PTSD from combat. also charlie(slang for cocaine) and gin to medicate enough to sleep.