I Was Only 19 (A Walk In The Light Green) Redgum

[Verse 1]
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 Shoalwater before we left

[Chorus]
And Townsville lined the footpaths as we marched down to the quay
This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean
And there's me, in me slouch hat, with me SLR and greens
God help me
I was only nineteen

[Verse 2]
From Vung Tau riding Chinooks to the dust at Nui Dat
I'd been in and out of choppers now for months
And we made our tents a home: VB, and pinups on the lockers
And an Agent Orange sunset through the scrub

[Chorus]
And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep?
And night time's just a jungle dark and a barking M16?
And what's this rash that comes and goes?
Can you tell me what it means?
God help me
I was only nineteen