Camouflage

stan ridgway

I was a P.F.C. on a search patrol hunting 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 moving 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 a lot!" • I told him my name and then I asked him his
and he said "The boys just call me Camouflage"

woah-oh-oh-oh • Camouflage
things are never quite the way they seem
woah-oh-oh-oh • Camouflage
this was an awfully big marine

well I was gonna ask him where he came from when we heard the bullets fly
coming through the bush 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
well we fought all night 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 morning we both took a chance and ran
and it was near the riverbank 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 buzzing through a bush
and that big marine he just swat it with his hand ... just like it was a fly ...

woah-oh-oh-oh • Camouflage
things are never quite the way they seem
woah-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 pulling a big palm tree up outta the ground
and swatting those Charlies with it from here to kingdom come...

when he led me outta danger I saw my camp and waved goodbye
he just winked at me from the jungle and then was gone
when I got back to my HQ I told them about my night
and the battle I'd spent with a big marine named Camouflage
when I said his name the soldier gulped and a medic took my arm
and led me to a green tent on the right
he said "You may be telling 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

woah-oh-oh-oh • Camouflage
things are never quite the way they seem
woah-oh-oh-oh • Camouflage
this was a really 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 cause you've got some company
from a big marine the boys call Camouflage

:/: hop ! hey ho ! hey ! one ! two ! three ! four !  :/: