The Vietnam War Ain t Over Yet (It Takes a Long, Long Time)

His daddy died from workin , the boy dropped out of school,
He should ve hid out in college, that patriotic fool.

His mama, she was weepin that day he raised his hand,
He wrote her almost ev ry week from a Southeast Asian land.

He led his men in battle, he risked his ass each day,
He hit the dirt but not in time when a bullet came his way.

A purple decoration rehabilitation, and an ex-wife
And now his nation s awarding him& just twenty years to life.

The details they don t matter, no, it s just some Veteran s crime,
The Vietnam War ain t over yet, it takes a long, long time.

Psychiatrists and lawyers, they fashioned his defense,
They tried to make him crazy, but the jury took offense.

Now he don t sniff that cocaine, no, and all he drinks is beer;
But he s got memories in living color, they re-run all so clear.

He hears those people screamin , he sees the bombs bright light
It all came back one fatal night& inside that bar-room fight.

The details don t matter, no, it s just some Veteran s crime,
The Vietnam War ain t over yet, it takes a long, long time.
1984