Khe Sanh
Cold Chisel Lyrics


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I left my heart to the sappers 'round Khe Sanh
And the soul was sold with my cigarettes to the blackmarket man
I had the Vietnam cold turkey from the ocean to the Silver City
And it's only other vets could understand

About the long forgotten dockside guarantees
How there were no V-Day heroes in 1973
How we sailed into Sydney Harbor, I saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her
Well, she was lined, and I was home to the lucky land

Well, she was like so many more from that time on
Their lives were all so empty 'until they found their chosen one
And their legs were often open, but their minds were always closed
And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains

And the legal pads were yellow, hours long, pay-packets lean
And the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been
Car parks make me jumpy, and I never stopped the dreams
Or the growing need for speed and Novocain

So I worked across the country from end to end
Tried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mend
I held a job on an oil rig, flyin' choppers when I could
Oh, but the nightlife nearly drove me 'round the bend

And I've traveled 'round the world from year to year
And each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wear
And I've been back to Southeast Asia, and the answer sure ain't there
But I'm drifting north, to check things out again, yes, I am

Well, the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And only seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong Kong
And there ain't nothing like the kisses from a jaded Chinese princess
I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long

Well, the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And it's really got me worried, I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone

Well, the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone




No, it's really got me worried, I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone

Overall Meaning

The song "Khe Sanh" by Cold Chisel is an emotive and powerful reflection of the Vietnam War and its effects on the soldiers who fought it. The lyrics delve into the psyche of a veteran who is struggling to come to terms with his experiences of war and the difficulties he has faced since returning home. In the first stanza, the soldier reflects on the things he left behind when he was deployed to Khe Sanh, including his heart and soul. He also mentions the Vietnam cold turkey, a colloquial term used to describe the symptoms of withdrawal soldiers experienced when returning from Vietnam. The stanza ends on a hopeful note, with the soldier acknowledging that only other veterans can truly understand his experiences.


The second stanza offers a bleak picture of life for many Vietnam veterans after they returned home. The soldier reflects on the empty lives of the women he encountered, who were seeking solace after the war. He also mentions the grind of everyday life, with its legal pads, long hours, and small pay packets. The stanza ends with a reflection on the growing need for speed and Novocain, likely referring to the use of drugs as a coping mechanism.


In the final stanza, the soldier reflects on his futile attempts to find a place to settle down and live a normal life. He has traveled the world and returned to Southeast Asia in search of answers, but to no avail. The stanza ends with the soldier acknowledging that he is still adrift and searching for meaning in his life.


Overall, "Khe Sanh" is a poignant and raw reflection on the struggles faced by Vietnam veterans after experiencing the trauma of war.


Line by Line Meaning

I left my heart to the sappers 'round Khe Sanh
I lost a piece of myself during my time at Khe Sanh


And the soul was sold with my cigarettes to the blackmarket man
I traded my morals and values for small comforts in a time of war


I had the Vietnam cold turkey from the ocean to the Silver City
I experienced the pain and suffering of the Vietnam War both overseas and at home


And it's only other vets could understand
The shared trauma and experiences of other veterans is the only thing that makes me feel understood


About the long forgotten dockside guarantees
Promises made to us when we returned home from war have been forgotten


How there were no V-Day heroes in 1973
The lack of victory and celebration upon returning from Vietnam made us feel less like heroes


How we sailed into Sydney Harbor, I saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her
Coming home from war was bittersweet, I saw familiar faces but couldn't fully embrace them due to my experiences


Well, she was lined, and I was home to the lucky land
She had lived through her own struggles, but I was fortunate to make it home alive


Well, she was like so many more from that time on
She was one of many who struggled to find meaning and purpose after the war


Their lives were all so empty 'until they found their chosen one
Many people found solace in relationships, but still struggled with their own inner emptiness


And their legs were often open, but their minds were always closed
Sex and pleasure offered temporary relief, but we struggled to truly connect with others


And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains
We felt trapped and limited by societal expectations and norms


And the legal pads were yellow, hours long, pay-packets lean
The jobs we worked were often mundane and unfulfilling, with little pay and long hours


And the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been
Our work in offices and other jobs felt insignificant compared to the intense experiences of war


Car parks make me jumpy, and I never stopped the dreams
Normal, mundane surroundings can still trigger memories and nightmares of the past


Or the growing need for speed and Novocain
We turned to drugs and other ways to numb our pain and seek excitement


So I worked across the country from end to end
I tried to find purpose and stability by working various jobs across the country


Tried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mend
I searched for a place to call home and start over, hoping to heal from the trauma of war


I held a job on an oil rig, flyin' choppers when I could
I tried to find work that felt meaningful and made use of the skills I had acquired during the war


Oh, but the nightlife nearly drove me 'round the bend
The party culture and chaos of nightlife made it hard for me to find peace and overcome my trauma


And I've traveled 'round the world from year to year
I have moved from place to place, seeking new experiences and a sense of purpose


And each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wear
Despite my travels, I still feel lost and unfulfilled, with each passing year feeling more hopeless


And I've been back to Southeast Asia, and the answer sure ain't there
Returning to the place where my trauma occurred did not bring me closer to healing or finding answers


But I'm drifting north, to check things out again, yes, I am
I am still searching, still exploring, still trying to find my way


And only seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong Kong
I am traveling to a new place, hoping to find something new and different


And there ain't nothing like the kisses from a jaded Chinese princess
I am seeking comfort and connection, but I know it may be shallow and fleeting


I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long
I am throwing myself into pleasures and distractions, but I know they will not fulfill me in the long run


No, it's really got me worried, I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
Despite my endless searching and distractions, I feel stuck and aimless, with time slipping away


You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
Time is running out, and I feel the pressure to find meaning and purpose before it's too late




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Donald Hugh Walker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@gordoncbright

To All the past & present Vietnam veterans who were forgotten but finally recognised years later, and a moving song by Cold Chisel. 🎤🎵🇦🇺🙏

@mindfulness1118

Absolutely 🙏🏼👏🙏🏼🌟

@usmcveteran7316

Thank you Gordon. Semper Fidelis from an old U.S. Marine Sergeant

@gordoncbright

@@usmcveteran7316 you’re welcome and thanks for your Service

@usmcveteran7316

​@Gordon C Bright you are welcome. As you know there was No parades for America Vietnam Veterans back in 1973. Semper Fi

@SuperMaraki21

Seriously...what?😡🤡

1 More Replies...

@Mattube1983

It’s not an Aussie party until this song plays at the end of the night

@grayh7529

This and "I was only 19" 🇦🇺

@uyraellsensenmann8931

Grandson of an ANZAC. May Our Aussie Cousins live as long as our Memories, in ours.

In Aeternal gratitude, and Fraternity;

Kind and Respectful Regards,
Uyraell, Wgtn, NZ.

@cefloach9019

love to the ANZACs for carrying us for several wars.

Kind and Respectful Regards from across the Pacific,
Ander, CA, USA

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