Cold Chisel - Khe Sanh Lyrics






I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh
And I sold my soul with my cigarettes to the blackmarket man
I've had the Vietnam cold turkey
From the ocean to the Silver City
And it's only other vets could understand

About the long forgotten dockside guarantees
How there were no V-dayheroes in 1973
And how we sailed into Sydney Harbour
I saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her
She was lined, and I was home to the lucky land

And she was like so many more from that time on
Their lives were all so empty, until they found their chosen one
And their legs were often open
But their minds were always closed
And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains
And the legal pads were yellow, hours long, paypacket lean
And the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been
And car parks made me jumpy
And I never stopped the dreams
Or the growing need for speed and novacaine

So I worked across the country from end to end
I tried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mend
I held a job on an oil-rig
Flying choppers when I could
But the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend

And I've travelled round the world from year to year
And each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wear
And I've been back to South East Asia
You know the answer sure ain't there
But I'm drifting north, to check things out again

Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know there's seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong Kong
And there ain't nothing like the kisses
From a jaded Chinese princess
I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long

Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And it's really got me worried
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone

Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And it's really got me worried
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone





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Cold Chisel Khe Sanh Comments
  1. M.... Y....

    This is so weird. I'm reminiscing about my pops and find a Australian anthem about his battle. Can anyone explain this Aussie link?

  2. E.... S....

    the last plane out of sydney almost dealayed and you feel okay because you got a day flight then it's a night flight

  3. E.... S....

    it's called the vidio

  4. E.... S....

    iv'e been to khe sanh nice place

  5. B.... P....

    Yep! Bestest music ever... 🙏🏻 my god!

  6. J.... R....

    Just become infantry officer 4 months ago in the adf.. and somehow I already relate to this..

  7. T.... S....

    Robert whittaker brought me here

  8. n.... t....

    R.i.p to all the indigenous brothers who lost there lives in the war.
    I took that last plane outta Sydney in 2012....I miss Australia a lot...

  9. J.... S....

    This song is one of those pick-me-ups for me. I listen to it atleast once a day, it’s a masterpiece even for an American like myself. Thank you to all the veterans who served

  10. C.... G....

    Hope to hear this beaut of a song accompanying Bobby Knuckles come March against Cannonier!

    Aussie Aussie Aussie!!! 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

  11. c.... ....

    told you americans that aussie songs make history

  12. M.... R....

    Robert Whittaker brought me here

  13. L.... E....

    For my 40th birthday - back in 1997 - , a friend of mine took me to the old Newcastle Pub, where some of her friends had loaded up the jukebox to play this song FORTY TIMES.

  14. j.... w....

    the last train out of Sydney has probably been delayed

  15. K.... ....

    Prime tunege

  16. S.... C....

    You're a dope yank,go home if u don't like our music u pilleck

  17. M.... M....

    Wonderful. I'm going to Vietnam, to lay flowers at the places where people died in this damaging and futile war.

  18. N.... S....

    My dad was in the battle of long tan. This songs is the best rip HMS37166

  19. 2.... s....

    Vietnam era songs like this are the best for literally anything

  20. b.... e....

    To the 1.7k dislikes you either missclicked or don’t understand Australia 🇦🇺 shoutout to all those aussies

  21. C.... 1....

    How do they only have 25 K odd subs... They are amazing.

  22. A.... A....

    My grandfather is in The Vietnam war. Set up the welcome home parade for the vets who served the country with pride.

  23. G.... H....

    I'm a veteran from Malvinas (Falkland) war and after 38 years I will be returning to the island to pay respect to my fallen comrades. I'm argentinian living now in Brisbane and this song has been one I had listened over and over again..... now when I finally I'm closing the circle as Veteran coming back to the place I fought a bloody war...not being sure if it will be kinda healing time I can't help to remember this part of the song "I've been back to southeast Asia (Malvinas/South Atlantic for me)....and the answer sure ain't there......"...(even "and when the last plane out of Sydney almost gone...makes me remember those few times I lost the plane from Sydney to Brisbane....... bloody hell mate!! LOL)

  24. N.... R....

    Robert Whittikar brought me here.

  25. j.... h....

    Funny this is Jimmy Barnes voice pre 84 before he hurt his voice & changed it forever. Listened to that voice pre 84 countless times live . Best band ever especially live .

  26. t.... o....

    is this song copyrighted?

  27. a.... d....

    Shame Jimmy has turned into a Soyboy SJW woke moron...Jimmy is proof that aging is horrible

  28. a.... d....

    freakin memories of awesome times

  29. K.... ....

    This should be the Australian national anthem

  30. G.... H....

    touching song...I'm a veteran from another war and i can see myself depicted in this song. Onya guys!

  31. b.... ....

    I've been listening to this song on and off since Cold Chisel first released it and have never been able to understand all the lyrics until this version. Thank you for the time taken to write them up, and now they make perfect sense to this old digger. I can totally empathise with the lyrics, and now know after 40+ years, what my Vietnam Veteran mates are all about, I was lucky, many weren't, and got chucked on the scrapheap of society, to be looked down upon, and with the scorn that many got because the Government literally wiped their hands of them.

  32. L.... O....

    Jimmy Barnes and Chisel telling that Vietnam Uncommen Valor that the vet's expirenced..such a bad military conflict, such a great song though. Much respect to all those that served in Nam on both sides.

    But im drifting off to check things out again !

  33. B.... B....

    What a Classic Rock On Cold Chisel

  34. P.... M....

    The Aussie version of Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA"

  35. J.... G....

    I left my heart to the sappers round khe sanh.....what a magic lyric.

  36. M.... G....

    Fuckin love it 🤘🔥🇦🇺

  37. G.... F....

    Is this song still our National Anthem?

  38. J.... m....

    https://youtu.be/dTjvG4WJD_A

  39. N.... B....

    Why do Americans try to claim this.. it's almost as Aussie as it gets, you fucking merican tards

  40. D.... Z....

    These guys were/are absolute timeless legends, such a shame they never blew up outside of Australia as much as they should have. One of the greatest bands period if you ask me. Their music will be played many more generations. Underrated.

  41. A.... O....

    2.25 a better bridge of a song I am yet to find

  42. �.... B....

    Today is 44 years since the Fall of Saigon, to all the fallen and the vets, thanks.

  43. P.... D....

    Same old story with the middle Eastern vets. Western governments enforcing socialism globally. Not by voluntary means but with gunships and troops. It never changes.

  44. b.... ....

    Can’t count out the reaper
    He will be back 🤙🏻

  45. a.... ....

    This song will have special meaning for Vietnam Veterans but when I hear it, it always brings back memories of my 5 years in Oz. Best days of my life. What a tune, what a country.

  46. P.... ....

    This song and a few stubbies goes hard

  47. T.... ....

    Absolutely garbage

  48. M.... ....

    whos here causes of school?

  49. S.... N....

    another Aussie rock classic...

  50. M.... P....

    This song 👌🏻. Lyrical genius, intense passion and the vocals and music to match. Just amazing.

  51. C.... B....

    Robert whittaker will return better than ever

  52. i.... m....

    Here after ufc 243

  53. L.... O....

    So this is the Aussie fortunate son huh? Pretty dope

  54. D.... W....

    ROBERT WHITTAKER

  55. A.... T....

    2019 still fresh today from Australia 👍👌✌🤘💖😎

  56. K.... S....

    Rob brought me here

  57. C.... H....

    Robert Whitaker should have won the fight based on this song recommendation alone. Amazing.

    C.... H....

    His entrance was so good imo.. but got shined on I guess.

    C.... H....

    Caleb Howard fuck Whitaker his shit. Stylebender baby 😍

    C.... H....

    it was pretty much nz vs nigeria 😂

  58. T.... ....

    Robert Whittaker brought me here UFC243

  59. J.... ....

    Bobby Knuckles sent me here.

  60. D.... L....

    Whittaker is a beat, he'll be back. Izzy is good too

  61. T.... S....

    A lot of respect for Whittaker, come back stronger and better great guy!!!!!

  62. s.... m....

    Robert Whittaker 👌👌

  63. s.... k....

    Bobby will be back

    s.... k....

    You're damn right he will be. The Reaper will claim that punks soul eventually.

    s.... k....

    @Illuwe He will fight Kevin before the rematch

    s.... k....

    No he wont

    s.... k....

    changchang thisthat I love seeing YT comments talking shit about elite fighters, Rob would leave you a quivering pile of piss just by looking in your general direction.

  64. K.... K....

    First time hearing this song thanks to the reaper. Jesus's this is an awesome tune

  65. E.... ....

    Always a die hard Bobby Knuckes fan. Win or lose!!!!

    E.... ....

    He's an amazing man, and there is not a doubt in my soul he will be back stronger than ever.

    E.... ....

    I enjoyed watching whittake but I have known Izzy for years in NZ. Glas izzy won but did feel sorry for whittaker

    E.... ....

    The scary part is that he is just 28 he can be a champion again if he wants to

    E.... ....

    He'll be back

  66. R.... S....

    This song is dope. Robert Whittaker brought me here as an American. Sounds a lot like Billy Joel

    R.... S....

    Billy Joel a legend in his own right but there’s always gonna be a difference in Australia 🇦🇺

    R.... S....

    @Sheepy Boi fucken aye bro nothing sounds like this

    R.... S....

    That's pretty realistic. Jimmy Barnes is kind of like Australias Billy Joel, but personally I love Jimmy's music more.

    R.... S....

    Robert Whittaker, met him in Brisbane about 4 years ago ,,he’s the man type of dude I’d love my sons to be like,represents martial arts the way it should be ,love cold chisel as well.

    R.... S....

    Yeah but better

  67. T.... W....

    Robert Whittaker

  68. A.... F....

    Let's go Bobby Knuckles

  69. 2.... ....

    Let’s go Rob!!!

  70. B.... w....

    Aussie Aussie Aussie

  71. S.... R....

    'There were no V-Day hero's in 1973...' That like kills me every time...

  72. T.... S....

    #October2019

  73. S.... F....

    I’m American and I can’t stop listening to this song.

  74. B.... ....

    Now I'm just waiting for this song to get banned because it's "racist".

  75. N.... B....

    Con este tema aprendi a bailar rock...lo amooo❤❤❤allá por los 90.

  76. K.... S....

    23 and I love jimmy Barnes #thanksmum

  77. R.... L....

    I'm only 26 years old and I'm a new Zealander and totally in love with this song

  78. C.... ....

    That moment u find out jimmy barnes really is a cockhead.....

  79. M.... J....

    Barnes is a f ag

  80. A.... A....

    Forgive me...but this song reminds me of, "Born in the U.S.A." by Springsteen and the poor treatment of our Vietnam veterans...
    Am I on base with this comparison?
    I don't think enough people know about the Aussie's participation in Vietnam here in the States, but I am wanting to learn.

    A.... A....

    Lethal outdoors no Americans were at Tobruk

    A.... A....

    @riley hofman Forgive me as an American...still learning.

    A.... A....

    A Alekhine Australians and Americans have fought side by side since the battle of hamel in The First World War in 1918

    A.... A....

    @shooter downunder We thank you for that...cheers!

  81. S.... B....

    My brothers was singing in a pub with my dad for the people and I remember listening to him he sounded exactly like this thank you chisel you have shaped his musical with this song and flame trees 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

  82. A.... M....

    Barnsey! My two boys when they were only months old, they love sleeping with your songs! I remember my 4 yr old now, was singing Forever Now haha! Now my 4 months old is loving your music playing in our lounge room tv with very loud volume haha!! They love Cold Chisel songs, made them having a good sleep!!! 😂😂😂👏👏👏😍😍😍

  83. S.... O....

    No Australians or any country units were in Khe Sanh. The Khe Sanh Combat Base was a U.S. Marine Corps base. “Built by the Seabees, Protected by the Marines, Enjoyed by the Air Force.”

    S.... O....

    Well the last plane outta Sydneys almost gone, only seven flying hours and il be landing in hong kong. The last plane outta sydneys almost gone, its really got me worried, im going nowhere and im in a hurry.

    It wasnt about where they were, it was about what they wemt through, doesnt materr if you landed in Sydney or Panama. usa and aus together.

    S.... O....

    I am asking about the Vietnam War.

  84. R.... B....

    In Argentine Cold Chisel I Love You

  85. R.... B....

    Se decia en mi epoca a ponerse las Topper y los Chupines y a bailar al LAREDO. Con estos Rock And Roll

  86. C.... J....

    My grandmums cousin wrote this song (im serious)

  87. 7.... ....

    I got no where to go and I am in a hurry.

  88. B.... S....

    This song is not about serving, it's about PTSD (before we even had a definition for it), and not relating to the country they came from when they returned. It's still a massive issue for today's military.

  89. J.... Y....

    Really really listen to the lyrics of this great song and REMEMBER... Remember their lives, their deaths, our reactions when they came home! They needed us! Were we there for them????

  90. L.... C....

    if 7 million watch and only 17k likes? does this mean those 17k watched 300 times each lmao!

  91. S.... O....

    Amazing song and amazing band. I play the whole self titled disc every day in my car, when I go to work, especially this masterpiece wich ''travels me around the world from year to year''. Greetings by a fan from Thessaloniki, Greece my folks.

  92. G.... f....

    They have 20 songs better than this

  93. M.... H....

    I love this song for so so long, although I always thought it was the last train outta Sydney. Until today....

  94. C.... ....

    Such an upbeat song, yet so sad. They send you off to fight, then give you the middle finger when you return.

  95. K.... E....

    All rise for the national anthem.
    my grandad was in nam he loved this song rip 1952-2014
    my grandad was in nam he loved this song rip 1952-2014
    my grandad was in nam he loved this song rip 1952-2014