Viet Nam Blues written by Kris Kristofferson 10/13/05 There's a little riff played occasionally during the C areas. It goes like this: e----------0 B----------1 G----------0 D----------2 A-----2p0--3 E--3-------x For reference, it's done 3 times during the INTRO, and then just as he begins the verse. CAPO II INTRO: C C I was on leave at the time just duckin' the fog Nosin' around like a hungry dog G C In that crazy place called Washington D.C. C I saw a crowd of people on the White House lawn All carrying signs about Viet Nam G C So I went over to see what was goin' on F There's a strange lookin' bunch G C But then I never could understand some people C Well a fellow came to me with a list in his hand He said we're gatherin' names to send a telegram of sympathy G C Then he handed me a pen I said I reckon this is goin' to the kids and wives Of my friends over there who'd given their lives G C And he said Uh-huh buddy, this is goin' to Ho Chi Mihn F I said Ho Chi who? G C He said Ho Chi Mihn--peopole's leader North Vietnam C Well I wasn't real sure I was hearin' him right But I thought I better move before I got in a fight G C 'Cause my ears were hurtin' and my pulse started hittin' the lick C Then I thought about another telegram I had just read Tellin' my buddy's wife that her husband was dead G C And it wasn't too long 'til I was feelin' downright sick C Another held a sign that said "we won't fight" I thought to myself "boy ain't that right G C You'd rather let a soldier die instead" C I said "it's a shame that every man Who ever died there in that far-off land G C Was dyin' so that you wouldn't have to wake up dead" F 'Course he looked at me like I was kinda crazy G C Just another war monger C Well I left that place and I went downtown And hit the first bar that I found G C Coolin' myself off, pacify my brain C You see I was on orders to Vietnam Little old place just north of Saigon G C I had about an hour to catch myself a plane F G So all I mean to say is I don't like dyin' either N/C C But man I ain't gonna crawl