Stan Ridgeway, 'Camouflage'

[duathir.livejournal.com]

Camouflage

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 a lot."
I told him my name and asked him his
And he said, "The boys just call me Camouflage."

Whoa Camouflage
Things are never quite the way they seem
Whoa Camouflage
I was awfully glad to see this big Marine

Well I was gonna ask where he came from, but we heard the bullets fly
Comin' through the brush and all around our ears
And it was then I saw this big Marine light a fire in his eye
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
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'd 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 hand
Just like it was a fly

Whoa Camouflage
Things are never quite the way they seem
Whoa 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' the truth 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 Camouflage
Things are never quite the way they seem
Whoa Camouflage
This was an awfully big Marine

By Stan Ridgeway