Camouflage

by Stan Ridgeway

(I’ve always loved this song – Ridgeway brings a Vietnam-era myth to life as only he could – surely meant to be satirical, it rises above that, IMHO)

I was a PFC on a search patrol huntin’ Charlie down

It was in the jungle wars of ’65

My weapon jammed and I got stuck way out and all alone

And I could hear the enemy movin’ in close outside

Just then I heard a twig snap and I grabbed my empty gun

And I dug in scared while I counted down my fate

And then a big marine, a giant with a pair of friendly eyes

Appeared there at my shoulder and said: “Wait!”

When he came in close beside me he said: “Don’t worry, son, I’m here

If Charlie wants to tangle now he’ll have two to dodge”

I said: “Well, thanks alot, I told him my name and asked him his

And he said: “The boys just call me Camouflage”

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage, things are never quite the way they seem

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage, I was awfully glad to see this big marine

Well, I was gonna ask him where he came from when we heard the bullets fly

Comin’ through the brush and all around our ears

It was then I saw this big marine light a fire in his eye

And it was strange, but suddenly I forgot my fears

We fought all night and side by side, we took our battle stance

And I wondered how the bullets missed this man

‘Cause they seemed to go right through him just as if he wasn’t there

And in the mornin’ we both took a chance and ran

And it was near the river bank when the ambush came on top of us

And I thought it was the end and we were had

Then a bullet with my name on it came buzzin’ through a bush

And that big marine, he just swat it with his hands

Just like it was a fly!

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage, things are never quite the way they seem

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage, this was an awfully strange marine

And I knew there was something weird about him

‘Cause when I turned around he was pullin’ a big palm tree right up out of the ground

And swattin’ those charlies with it from here to kingdom come

When he led me out of danger, I saw my camp and waved goodbye

But he just winked at me from the jungle and then was gone

And when I got back to my HQ I told ’em about my night

And the battle I’d spent with a big marine named Camouflage

When I said his name a soldier gulped and a medic took my arm

And led me to a green tent on the right

He said: “You may be tellin’ true boy, but this here is Camouflage

And he’s been right here since he passed away last night

In fact he’s been here all week long

But before he went he said “Semper fi” and said his only wish

Was to save a young marine caught in a barrage

So here, take his dog tag son, I know, he’d want you to have it now”

And we both said a prayer for a big marine named Camouflage

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage, things are never quite the way they seem

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage, this was an awfully big marine

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage, things are never quite the way they seem

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage, this was an awfully big marine

So, next time, you’re in a jungle fight and you feel a presence near

Or hear a voice that in your mind will lodge

Just be thankful that you’re not alone and you’ve got some company

From a big marine the boys call Camouflage

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage, things are never quite the way they seem

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage, this was an awfully big marine

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage (cadence from Ghost Battalion)

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage

Whoa oh oh oh, Camouflage