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Michael Hamilton Lyrics

Ripped open by metal explosion
The singer was severely injured in an explosion that involved metal fragments.

Caught in barbed wire
The singer was ensnared in barbed wire, which caused him further harm and injury.

Fireball
A large fire erupted during the explosion, leading to widespread destruction and chaos.

Bullet shock
The artist was struck by bullets and experienced a shock as a result.

Bayonet
The artist was attacked with a bayonet, a type of close combat weapon.

Electricity
The singer was exposed to electric shock, likely as a result of the chaotic events around them.

Shrapnel
The singer was severely injured by fragments of shrapnel that resulted from the explosion.

Throbbing meat
The artist's injuries were severe enough that they describe their own body as 'throbbing meat'.

Electronic data processing
A juxtaposition between the artist's primitive, physical injuries and the advanced technological systems that likely contributed to the events around them.

Black uniforms
The soldiers who caused the chaos were wearing black uniforms, potentially indicating they were a special forces group.

Bare feet, carbines
The soldiers were minimally equipped, using only rifles and wearing no shoes.

Mail-order rifles
The soldiers' firearms were obtained through mail-order, indicating their lack of formal training or backing.

Shoot the muscles
The soldiers were specifically targeting the physical bodies of their enemies, further emphasizing the brutality of the conflict.

256 Viet Cong captured
The singer is stating a fact about the number of enemy soldiers they succeeded in capturing.

256 Viet Cong captured
The singer is repeating the same fact for emphasis, possibly as a way of trying to convince someone else of the scope of their actions.

Prisoners in Niggertown
The prisoners were held in an area colloquially known as 'Niggertown', indicating that it was likely a segregated area.

It's a dirty little war
The artist is commenting on the unsavory nature of the conflict they are involved in, likely indicating that they don't see it as a worthwhile or morally justified effort.

Three Five Zero Zero
An unclear reference that is subject to interpretation, but is possibly a reference to either the number of soldiers involved, or a location.

Take weapons up and begin to kill
The singer is issuing a call to arms, encouraging others to arm themselves and engage in the conflict.

Watch the long long armies drifting home
The artist is reflecting on the aftermath of the conflict, watching the soldiers who were involved leave and head home.