I Was Only 19

About the Song

Released by the Australian band Redgum in 1983, "I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green)" vividly describes the experiences of an Australian conscript soldier in the Vietnam War. It became a number-one hit in Australia and remains an anthem for Vietnam veterans. The song was written by John Schumann based on the experiences of Mick Storen, a veteran of the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

Historical Context

Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War (1962-1975) saw over 60,000 Australians serve, with 521 killed and over 3,000 wounded. The song references real battles including the Battle of Long Tan and operations at Nui Dat.

Video

Lyrics

Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal

It was a long march from cadets

The sixth battalion was the next to tour and it was me who drew the card

We did Canungra and Shoalwater before we left

And Townsville lined the footpath as we marched down to the quay

This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean

And there's me in my slouch hat with my SLR and greens

God help me, I was only nineteen

From Vung Tau riding Chinooks to the dust at Nui Dat

I'd been in and out of choppers now for months

We made our camp at Donut and the bloody Yanks were there

We'd sit and drink their Coke and watch the choppers come and go

And we'd all sing Waltzing Matilda as the choppers took us out

'Cause we liked our beer cold and our women warm

And they were lined up on the chopper pad and cryin' in the mist

God help me, I was only nineteen

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep?

And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet?

And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?

God help me, I was only nineteen