Cold Chisel - Khe Sanh Lyrics | SongMeanings

Cold Chisel

Khe Sanh 49 Meanings Add Yours Share Q&A

Khe Sanh Lyrics

I left my heart to the sappers round Khe SanhAnd my soul was sold with my cigarettes to the black market manI've had the Vietnam cold turkeyFrom the ocean to the Silver CityAnd it's only other vets could understandAbout the long forgotten dockside guaranteesHow there were no V-day heroes in 1973How we sailed into Sydney HarbourSaw an old friend but couldn't kiss herShe was lined, and I was home to the lucky landAnd she was like so many more from that time onTheir lives were all so empty, till they found their chosen oneAnd their legs were often openBut their minds were always closedAnd their hearts were held in fast suburban chainsAnd the legal pads were yellow, hours long, paypacket leanAnd the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had beenBut the car parks made me jumpyAnd I never stopped the dreamsOr the growing need for speed and novocaineSo I worked across the country end to endTried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mendHeld a job on an oil-rigFlying choppers when I couldBut the nightlife nearly drove me round the bendAnd I've travelled round the world from year to yearAnd each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wearAnd I've been back to South East AsiaYou know the answer sure ain't thereBut I'm drifting north, to check things out againYou know the last plane out of Sydney's almost goneOnly seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong KongThere ain't nothing like the kissesFrom a jaded Chinese princessI'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night longWell the last plane out of Sydney's almost goneYeah the last plane out of Sydney's almost goneAnd it's really got me worriedI'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurryAnd the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost goneYeah the last plane out of Sydney's almost goneAnd it's really got me worriedI'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurryYou know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone Image Comment Song Info Submitted by theluckychicken On Mar 18, 2002 More Cold Chisel Flame Trees When the War Is Over Cheap Wine Bow River Forever Now Questions and Answers

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Sort by Highest Rated Most Recent Oldest First All Comment Types General Comment (47) Song Meaning (2) All by universalsolider 20y ago

You know you're truly Australian when you can't sing the second verse of the national anthem, but will happily belt out Khe Sahn at the drop of a hat...

You know you're truly Australian when you can't sing the second verse of the national anthem, but will happily belt out Khe Sahn at the drop of a hat... Reason: Edit Cancel +3 Users: Reply · 3 Share by aussieboy53 7y ago

@universalsolider This SHOULD be the Australian national anthem!!!!

@universalsolider This SHOULD be the Australian national anthem!!!!

@[universalsolider:25181] This SHOULD be the Australian national anthem!!!! Reason: Edit Cancel by aussieboy53 7y ago

@universalsolider This SHOULD be the Australian national anthem!!!!

@universalsolider This SHOULD be the Australian national anthem!!!!

@[universalsolider:25182] This SHOULD be the Australian national anthem!!!! Reason: Edit Cancel by exobscura 5y ago

@universalsolider

@universalsolider

chuttup

chuttup

@[universalsolider:33006] chuttup Reason: Edit Cancel by MagicTown 18y ago

This song is one of the most beautiful songs to come out of Australia. My Uncle fought in Vietnam and it brings tears to his eyes when ever he hears it. He disagrees with all of you though, it's not about hookers and drugs. It's not about how Australian's should never of been in the war. “I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh” These guys had to find mines buried in the ground. He left his heart with them because they’re doing a horrendous job.

“And it's only other vets could understand” No matter what stories we hear, or how many movies we watch, the experience is theirs alone.

“How there were no V-day heroes in 1973” Back then the troops that went to Vietnam were treated really badly. Australian’s didn’t believe in the war and they didn’t see any point for our soldiers to be there. It didn’t matter to them that the men had no choice, one lady even spat on my uncle when he got back and called him filthy.

“And their legs were often open But their minds were always closed” Not about hookers but the fact that they were so unwilling to accept that these guys had no choice but to go over and fight.

“Or the growing need for speed and novocaine” This line doesn’t make the song about drugs. It just reinforces the message of how horrific it was and how there were limited means of escaping those horrors.

He’s been back to Vietnam, and as much as he hates the place he’s going back again. It was such a major part of his life, and when he got back he was treated badly, as were most Vets.

This song means so much more to them than it can ever mean to any of us. But it’s still beautiful and insightful.

This song is one of the most beautiful songs to come out of Australia. My Uncle fought in Vietnam and it brings tears to his eyes when ever he hears it. He disagrees with all of you though, it's not about hookers and drugs. It's not about how Australian's should never of been in the war. “I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh” These guys had to find mines buried in the ground. He left his heart with them because they’re doing a horrendous job. “And it's only other vets could understand” No matter what stories we hear, or how many movies we watch, the experience is theirs alone. “How there were no V-day heroes in 1973” Back then the troops that went to Vietnam were treated really badly. Australian’s didn’t believe in the war and they didn’t see any point for our soldiers to be there. It didn’t matter to them that the men had no choice, one lady even spat on my uncle when he got back and called him filthy. “And their legs were often open But their minds were always closed” Not about hookers but the fact that they were so unwilling to accept that these guys had no choice but to go over and fight. “Or the growing need for speed and novocaine” This line doesn’t make the song about drugs. It just reinforces the message of how horrific it was and how there were limited means of escaping those horrors. He’s been back to Vietnam, and as much as he hates the place he’s going back again. It was such a major part of his life, and when he got back he was treated badly, as were most Vets. This song means so much more to them than it can ever mean to any of us. But it’s still beautiful and insightful. Reason: Edit Cancel +2 Users: Reply · 1 Share by iLoveChiselxD 16y ago

Thanks Man,

Thanks Man,

Even If People Back Then Didnt believe in the war they should still pay respect to these men who were willing to fight for their county.

Even If People Back Then Didnt believe in the war they should still pay respect to these men who were willing to fight for their county.

Not Valid Thanks Man, Even If People Back Then Didnt believe in the war they should still pay respect to these men who were willing to fight for their county. Reason: Edit Cancel by Regos the Sane 19y ago

In response to vieires:

Firstly, to the best of my knowledge, Don Walker didn't fight in Vietnam either.

Secondly, the reason this song is regarded as our national anthem by so many people is not the situation itself, but the ideas behind it. The guy in the song is struggling to survive, feels abandoned by the government, has an awareness of the head-in-the-sand attitude becoming prevalent in society "the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been", and is frustrated by the increasingly restrictive social atmosphere. It's a common theme in many Chisel songs (Star Hotel, Wild Colonial Boy, Cheap Wine, Bow River), has been a constant throughout Australia's history, and is still going on today.

Here's the best part. He's "travelled round the world from year to year", searching for "the answer" as it's called in the song. Despiteall the problems he faces in Australia, he would rather be here than anywhere else. That's why Khe Sanh is the national anthem.

In response to vieires: Firstly, to the best of my knowledge, Don Walker didn't fight in Vietnam either. Secondly, the reason this song is regarded as our national anthem by so many people is not the situation itself, but the ideas behind it. The guy in the song is struggling to survive, feels abandoned by the government, has an awareness of the head-in-the-sand attitude becoming prevalent in society "the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been", and is frustrated by the increasingly restrictive social atmosphere. It's a common theme in many Chisel songs (Star Hotel, Wild Colonial Boy, Cheap Wine, Bow River), has been a constant throughout Australia's history, and is still going on today. Here's the best part. He's "travelled round the world from year to year", searching for "the answer" as it's called in the song. Despiteall the problems he faces in Australia, he would rather be here than anywhere else. That's why Khe Sanh is the national anthem. Reason: Edit Cancel +1 Users: Reply · 0 Share by kamahl_o_koala 17y ago

Great comments, people. This is the quintessential Aussie "shafted-by-society" song that this country sadly continues to promote to this day. It started with the convicts and it lives within every generation of larrikins and fair-dinkum battlers - men AND women.

To "Pentecost", the Silver City is the nickname for the city of Broken Hill, NSW, founded over 120 years ago was one of the largest silver-lead mines in the world, and home to some of the longest running battler societies this country has ever seen. It is also the foundation for the "Broken Hill Proprietary Company", now known as BHPBilliton, one of the world's largest mining companies. Despite the immense wealth, technological, political and social change generated there, it remains ones of the poorest cites in the state, with long term health impacts from mining lead being just one.

Many Vietnam Vets returned to mining towns after the war, to seek anonymity and respite from sheer prejudice in the capital cities in the 1970s. Often it was the only jobs they could get.

So the "cold-turkey" refers to the hostile reception the vets got all over the country from deep inland (eg Broken Hill) to the coastal capital cities.

"Held a job on an oil-rig Flying choppers when I could But the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend" There are still many ex-military people in the oil and mining industry, I guess you need a military mind to put up with the isolation and the abject hard yakka and inherent destruction of mining.

But Khe Sanh still gets a good workout in these mining camps, and it is not far off the mark to declare this song as an unofficial national anthem

Great comments, people. This is the quintessential Aussie "shafted-by-society" song that this country sadly continues to promote to this day. It started with the convicts and it lives within every generation of larrikins and fair-dinkum battlers - men AND women. To "Pentecost", the Silver City is the nickname for the city of Broken Hill, NSW, founded over 120 years ago was one of the largest silver-lead mines in the world, and home to some of the longest running battler societies this country has ever seen. It is also the foundation for the "Broken Hill Proprietary Company", now known as BHPBilliton, one of the world's largest mining companies. Despite the immense wealth, technological, political and social change generated there, it remains ones of the poorest cites in the state, with long term health impacts from mining lead being just one. Many Vietnam Vets returned to mining towns after the war, to seek anonymity and respite from sheer prejudice in the capital cities in the 1970s. Often it was the only jobs they could get. So the "cold-turkey" refers to the hostile reception the vets got all over the country from deep inland (eg Broken Hill) to the coastal capital cities. "Held a job on an oil-rig Flying choppers when I could But the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend" There are still many ex-military people in the oil and mining industry, I guess you need a military mind to put up with the isolation and the abject hard yakka and inherent destruction of mining. But Khe Sanh still gets a good workout in these mining camps, and it is not far off the mark to declare this song as an unofficial national anthem Reason: Edit Cancel +1 Users: Reply · 0 Share by lawry 23y ago

It's about a poor fella who can't fit in to society after the things he saw in Vietnam.

It's about a poor fella who can't fit in to society after the things he saw in Vietnam. Reason: Edit Cancel 0 Users: Reply · 0 Share by Arianrhod 22y ago

Thats basically it. Its one of my Dad's favourite songs as well, always makes me think of him. Khe Sanh is a city in Vietnam. Vets are veterans. V-Day was the day WW2 ended in 1945, stands for Victory Day. Sydney is a city in Australia (unless you were hiding under a rock for two weeks in September 2000, you'd know this).

Cold Chisel are a great band, with an important place in Australian rock and roll history.

Thats basically it. Its one of my Dad's favourite songs as well, always makes me think of him. Khe Sanh is a city in Vietnam. Vets are veterans. V-Day was the day WW2 ended in 1945, stands for Victory Day. Sydney is a city in Australia (unless you were hiding under a rock for two weeks in September 2000, you'd know this). Cold Chisel are a great band, with an important place in Australian rock and roll history. Reason: Edit Cancel 0 Users: Reply · 1 Share by dan1126154 7y ago

@Arianrhod "Sydney is a city in Australia (unless you were hiding under a rock for two weeks in September 2000, you'd know this)."

@Arianrhod "Sydney is a city in Australia (unless you were hiding under a rock for two weeks in September 2000, you'd know this)."

Let's say, hypothetically, I was under a rock, or that I'm just the typical American who doesn't keep up with world events (not all the time anyway), and I do know that Sydney is a city in Australia, but I don't understand the implication that for two weeks in September 2000 it wasn't.... could anybody help me out?

Let's say, hypothetically, I was under a rock, or that I'm just the typical American who doesn't keep up with world events (not all the time anyway), and I do know that Sydney is a city in Australia, but I don't understand the implication that for two weeks in September 2000 it wasn't.... could anybody help me out?

@[Arianrhod:26650] "Sydney is a city in Australia (unless you were hiding under a rock for two weeks in September 2000, you'd know this)." Let's say, hypothetically, I was under a rock, or that I'm just the typical American who doesn't keep up with world events (not all the time anyway), and I do know that Sydney is a city in Australia, but I don't understand the implication that for two weeks in September 2000 it wasn't.... could anybody help me out? Reason: Edit Cancel by Arianrhod 22y ago

Excuse me? Nowhere did either of use say we didn't like the song. Chill out man.

Excuse me? Nowhere did either of use say we didn't like the song. Chill out man. Reason: Edit Cancel 0 Users: Reply · 0 Share by Regos the Sane 21y ago

The greatest song ever. You haven't really heard it until you've been to a Chisel show. Ahh, memories... 6th June 2003 Hordern Pavillion, Sydney. Being surrounded by 4000 people all singing our true national anthem was just surreal. And this after I thought I'd never get to see them because they broke up before I was born.

The greatest song ever. You haven't really heard it until you've been to a Chisel show. Ahh, memories... 6th June 2003 Hordern Pavillion, Sydney. Being surrounded by 4000 people all singing our true national anthem was just surreal. And this after I thought I'd never get to see them because they broke up before I was born. Reason: Edit Cancel 0 Users: Reply · 0 Share by Baseball_cocconut 20y ago

A sapper is a military title given to demolition experts and is a term that has been in use since the Middle Ages

A sapper is a military title given to demolition experts and is a term that has been in use since the Middle Ages Reason: Edit Cancel 0 Users: Reply · 0 Share by Baseball_cocconut 20y ago

It's also probably about the heavy drug use that was evident among soldiers during Nam, and about pros in South-East Asia

It's also probably about the heavy drug use that was evident among soldiers during Nam, and about pros in South-East Asia Reason: Edit Cancel 0 Users: Reply · 0 Share 123...45Next »

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