Cold Chisel released their landmark Australian rock song Khe Sanh in May 1978. Don Walker, the band’s pianist, wrote the song about an Australian Vietnam veteran struggling to reintegrate into civilian life after the war. The lyrics delve into themes of displacement, addiction, and the search for purpose, reflecting the broader challenges faced by veterans returning from the Vietnam War.
Khe Sanh Lyrics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Song Title | “Khe Sanh” |
| Artist | Cold Chisel |
| Release Date | May 1978 |
| Album | Cold Chisel |
| Songwriter | Don Walker |
| Genre | Pub rock |
| Themes | Post-war disillusionment, struggles of Vietnam veterans, search for meaning |
| Notable Lyrics | “I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh” |
| Cultural Impact | Considered an Australian anthem; encapsulates the sentiments of a generation post-Vietnam War |
| Controversy | Initially banned on some Australian radio stations due to explicit content |
Khe Sanh Lyrics
I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh
And my soul was sold with my cigarettes
To the black market man
I’ve 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 Harbour
Saw an old friend but couldn’t kiss her
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
Till 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
But the car parks made me jumpy
And I never stopped the dreams
Or the growing need for speed and novocain
So I worked across the country end to end
Tried to find a place to settle down
Where my mixed up life could mend
Held a job on an oil-rig
Flying choppers when I could
But the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend
And I’ve travelled 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 South East 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
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
And 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
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
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