From the recording Hard West (double CD)
Lyrics
20) Jam In Nam
m.litton
Your girlfriend was there when you left, you’re right
Her brothers were there when you left, you’re right
With the ol’ man’s shotgun when you left, you’re right
And that’s why you left, you’re right
That’s why you left, hey-hey, you’re right
That’s why you left, poor black and poor white
Owed a little bill on the GTO
Payment due to the Highway Patrol
Clocked through a 30 doin’ 91
The judge said, “Now that’s the third time, son”
That’s why you left, hey-hey, you’re right
That’s why you left, poor black and poor white
When you were in a jam, it was Vietnam
When you were in a jam, son, it was Vietnam
Tired of the job, tired of the books
Took one toke and you were hooked
Rock ’n Roll and revolution everywhere
Miniskirts and long blonde hair
That’s why you left, hey-hey, you’re right
That’s why you left, poor black and poor white
Had a little game called the lottery
Pick a high number and you go free
But draw one below a hundred or so
Why you’re a winner, you get to go
Step to the left, you’re gonna fight
Step to the left, poor black and poor white
It was greetings from Uncle Sam
They said, “Welcome, boy, to Vietnam...”
Twenty years later our Commander-in-Chief
Waved a flag and made a speech
Talked alot of peace ‘n sacrifice
“Now when the country called, the boys went to fight”
As usual he was about half right
He never talked to poor blacks or poor whites
Well enough been said about that old war
I’ll say this once this I’ll say no more
Them were damn good boys that fought ‘n died
For God, Mom, Country ‘n Apple Pie
That’s why they left, that’s why they died
God bless the poor black and poor white
Hey they were in a jam in Vietnam
Them boys was in a jam, son, in Vietnam
Hey they were in a jam in Vietnam
Them boys was in a jam, son, in Vietnam
Now the jam is back, Jack, in ol’ Iraq
Yeah, the jam is back, Jack, in ol’ Iraq...