19 -- Paul Hardcastle -- Lyrics

19 -- Paul Hardcastle

Charted: 1985
Peaked at #15
Chrysalis -- 42860
From the album "Paul Hardcastle"
B-Side "Fly By Night"

In 1965, Vietnam seemed like
Just another foreign war
But, it wasn't
It was different in many ways

And so were those
Who did the fighting
In World War II
The average age of the
Combat soldier was 26

In Vietnam, he was 19
In Vietnam, he was 19
In Vietnam, he was 19
In Vietnam, he was 19
N-n-n-19

The heaviest fighting
Of the past two weeks
Continued today 25
Miles northwest of Saigon
I really wasn`t sure
What was going on

N-n-n-19, 19, 19

In Vietnam, the combat soldier
Typically served a
Twelve month tour of duty
But, was exposed to
Hostile fire almost everyday

N-n-n 19
N-n-n 19
N-n-n 19
N-n-n 19

In Saigon, a U.S. miltary spokesman
Said today, more than 720 troops
Were killed last week in
That sensitive border area
Throughout all of South Vietnam
The enemy lost a total of
2,689 soldiers

All those who remember the war
They won't forget what they've seen
Destruction of men in their prime
Whose average was 19

D-d-d destruction
D-d-d destruction

According to a
Veteran's Administration study
Half of the Vietnam
Combat veterans suffered
From what psychiatrists call
Post traumatic stress disorder
Many vets complain of
Alienation, rage or guilt
Some succumb to suicidal thoughts
Eight to ten years after coming home
Almost 800,000 men
Are still fighting the Vietnam War

None of them received
A hero's welcome

19
Saigon, Saigon
S-s-s Saigon, Saigon
S-s-s Saigon
19
N-n-n 19, n-n-n 19
N-n-n 19, n-n-n 19

Vietnam, Saigon
Vietnam, Saigon
Vietnam, Saigon
Vietnam, Saigon
Purple heart, Saigon
Purple heart, Saigon

I really wasn't sure
What was going on
I really wasn't sure
What was going on