Lyric discussion by markusla 

That's funny, I always thought of this as a Civil War soldier thinking of his girl back in Galveston. Guess it works equally well in Vietnam. War is war.

I agree, definitely pre-Vietnam -

Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea waves crashing While I watch the cannons flashing I clean my gun and dream of Galveston

From songfacts.com -

This was written by songwriter Jimmy Webb, who also wrote Campbell's hits "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Wichita Lineman." Webb also wrote "MacArthur Park," which was a hit for both Richard Harris and Donna Summer, and "Up-Up and Away," which was recorded by The 5th Dimension.

Little Richard was always shaking;) ... Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On and Shake a Hand. Arrr Arrr Arrr

An error occured.