I Went Off to Vietnam

[Verse 1] I kissed my girl on the front porch step, Said I’d be fine, said don’t you cry, I’d never been farther than state line roads, Didn’t know how big fear could get inside. I joked with the boys on the long plane ride, Played tough, tried to fit the part, But every mile from home felt heavier Than what I carried on my back. [Chorus] I went off to Vietnam, Still thought I’d walk through whole, Didn’t know how fast the world can change When you’re barely nineteen years old. I believed what they told me then, About right and wrong and plans, Yeah, I went off to Vietnam Thinkin’ I’d come back the same man. [Verse 2] First shots cracked like the sky broke open, Leaves exploded right above my head, The ground felt alive, keepin’ me pinned down, That’s the first time I prayed I wasn’t dead. My hands shook hard on a loaded rifle, Couldn’t hear my own commands, I watched fear take over every breath Of every boy just like I am. [Chorus] I went off to Vietnam, Where “quiet” don’t exist, Every heartbeat feelin’ like it might Be the one you miss. You learn real fast what courage ain’t When the bullets start to land— It ain’t loud or proud or fearless, son, It’s just not runnin’ when you can. [Verse 3] The kid beside me joked that morning, Said he’d drink cold beer when this was done, By afternoon I was closin’ his eyes While blood mixed in with rain and mud. That’s when fear stopped feelin’ temporary, Stopped feelin’ much like fear at all, It turned into this steady pressure Sayin’ you’re next every time I’d fall. [Chorus] I went off to Vietnam, Where names get lost real fast, Where today’s the only thing that matters ‘Cause tomorrow’s never promised back. You don’t think about right or wrong, Or flags or where you stand--- You just think about breathin’ once more In Vietnam. [Verse 4] Napalm turned the night to daylight, Screams cut through the smoke and heat, I couldn’t tell if I was shoutin’ orders Or just beggin’ to breathe. I fired without knowin’ who or why, Hands numb, heart goin’ wild, That’s when I knew the truth of war--- It don’t care that you’re still a child. [Bridge] They don’t tell you that fear gets smarter, Learns how to wait its turn, It follows you home in quieter ways, In the dreams you never outrun. The war kept goin’ when the plane touched down, Just without a sound--- Still jumps in my chest every now and then When the world gets too damn loud. [Final Chorus] Yeah, I went off to Vietnam, Came back worn thin and hard, Left my youth in the jungle heat And brought home invisible scars. If you ask me what that war was like, I’ll tell you what I can--- It was terror learnin’ patience Inside a young man. [Outro] I came home, raised my family, Did my best, I stand my ground… But part of me’s still over there, Listenin’ for a sound From the day I went off to Vietnam.