ONLY NINETEEN
Redgum


Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal
It was a long march from cadets
The sixth battalion was the next to tour
and it was me who drew the card
We did Canungra and shoal water before we left

And Townsville lined the footpaths as we marched to the quay
This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean
And theres me in my slouch hat with my SLR and greens
God help me I was on - ly nine teen


From Vung Tau riding chinooks to the dust at Nui Dat
Id been in and out of choppers now for months
But we made our tents a home, VB, and pinups on the lockers
And an Asian orange sunset though the scrub

And can you tell me doctor why I still cant get to sleep
And why night times just a jungle dark and a barking M16
And whats this rash that comes and goes can you tell me what it means
God help me, i was only nineteen

A four week operation every step could be your last one
on two legs ; It was a war within yourself
But you wouldnt let your mates down till they had you dusted off
so you closed your eyes and thought about something else

Then someone yelled out "contact" and a bloke behind me swore
We hooked in there for hours then a god almighty roar
Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon
God help me, he was going home in June

I can still see Frankie lying drinking tinnies in the Grand Hotel
On a thirty six hour rec leave in Vung Tau
And i can still see Frankie lying screaming in the jungle
till the morphine cam and killed the bloody row

And the Anzac legends didnt mention mud and blood and tears
And the stories that my father told me never seemed quite real
I caught some pieces in my back that I didnt even feel
God help me I was only nineteen

And can you tell me doctor why I still cant get to sleep
And why the channel seven chopper chills me to my feet
And whats this rash that comes and goes can you tell me what it means
God help me, I was only nineteen..