Stan Ridgway - "Camouflage"

April 25 is Anzac Day, of course, here in New Zealand and in Australia. It is the day we commemorate the members of the (ANZAC) Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli during World War 1. So I personally think we should have something to honour those soldiers... and the greatest modern war song will do, thank you very much. Or should I say? The greatest modern 'ghost' war song. That song is "Camouflage" by Stan Ridgeway (formerly of Wall of Voodoo fame)... Now I do realise that "Camouflage" is about the Vietnam war - but does that really matter? No, of course it doesn't. "Camouflage" tells the story of the ghost of a marine who saves the life of a private. Best heard in full.
Lest We Forget.



Lyrics

I was a PFC on a searchpatrol, hunting 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 moving in close outside.
Just then I heard a twig snap, and I grabbed my empty gun
and I dug it scared while I counted down my faith.
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 tango, 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"

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
things are never quite the way they seem.
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
I was awfully glad to see this big marine.

Well I was gonna ask him where he came from,
when we heard the bullets fly,
coming through the brush and all around our ears.
It was then I saw this big marine, a lotta fire in his eyes.
And it was strange, but suddenly I forgot my fears.

Well we faught all night, side by side, we took our battle stands.
And I wondered how the bullets missed this man.
Cus they seemed to go right through him, just as if he wasn't there
and the morning we both took a chance and ran.
And it was near the riverbank when the ambush came on top of us
and I thought it was the end, we were had.
Then a bullet with my name on it came buzzing through a bush
and that big marine, he just swat it, with his hands.
Just like it was a fly.

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
things are never quite the way they seem.
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
This was an awfully strange marine.

And I knew there was something weird about him,
cus when I turned around he was pulling a big palmtree
right up out of the ground and swatting those Charlie's with it,
from here to Kingdom Kong.

When he lead me out the danger, I saw my camp and waved goodbye,
he just winked at me from the jungle and then was gone.
And when I got back to my H.Q. I told them about my night,
and the battle I've spent with a big marine named Camouflage.
When I said his name, the soldier gulped, and a medic took my arm
and lead me to a green tent on the right.
He said: "You may be telling true boy, but this here is Camouflage.
And he's been right here since he past 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 mirage.
So here, take his dogtag, son. I know he'd want you to have it now"
And we both said a prayer for a big marine named Camouflage.

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
things are never quite the way they seem.
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
This was an awfully big marine.

So next time you're in a junglefight, and you feel a presence near
or hear a voice that in your mind will lie,
just be thankful that you're not alone and you've got some company,
from a big marine, the boys called Camouflage

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
things are never quite the way they seem.
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
This was an awfully big marine.
(X2)

whoho Camouflage
whohoo Camouflage