Redgum-I Was Only Nineteen Intro: A, C, G, D, A, G, A. A C G D A Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal G A (1t was long march from cadets). A C G D The sixth battalion was the next to tour and It was me who drew the card. A G A We did Canungra and Shoalwater before we left. Chorus I: E D A And Townsville lined the footpath as we marched down to the quay. E D A This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean. F#m E D A And there's me in my slouch hat with my SLR and greens. E D God help me, I was only nineteen. A C G D From Vung Tau riding Chinooks to the dust at Nui Dat, A G A I'd been in and out of choppers now for months. A C G D But we made our tents a home. V.B. and pinups on the lockers, A G A And an Asian orange sunset through the scrub. Chorus 2: E D A And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep? E D A And night time's just a jungle dark and a barking M.16? F#m E D A And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means? E D God help me, I was only nineteen. A C G D A four week operation, when each step can mean your last one A G A On two legs: it was a war within yourself. A C G D But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off, A G A So you closed your eyes and thought about something else. Chorus 3: E D A Then someone yelled out "Contact"', and the bloke behind me swore. E D A We hooked in there for hours, then a God almighty roar. F#m E D A Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon. E D God help me, he was going home in June. A C G D 1 can still see Frankie, drinking tinnies in the Grand Hotel A G A On a thirty-six hour rec. leave in Vung Tau. A C G D And I can still hear Frankie, lying screaming in the jungle. A G A 'Till the morphine came and killed the bloody row Chorus 4: E D A And the Anzac legends didn't mention mud and blood and tears. E D A And stories that my father told me never seemed quite real F#m E D A I caught some pieces In my back that I didn't even feel. E D God help me, I was only nineteen. Please Email me if you have any comments, or if you have enything I might be interested Enjoy in the true Aussie way....with alcohol :D