SAFE BEHIND THE WIRE (Schumann) To the memory of Phillip Thompson O.A who, as national president of the Vietnam Veterans association, devoted the last years of his life to the welfare of over 50,000 veterans and their families. Phill was dusted off for the last time in the early hours of Sunday 23/11/86. A good mate and a great Australian goodbye and God bless Phill - John Schumann When the bodies were bagged and the telgrams sent And the very last chopper had gone And you looked out the window of the 707 On the airfield in Saigon Some of thought that the war was over Some of us couldnt care less But you came home and threw a stay-behind party And tried to clear up the mess (Chorus) I dont know where you are tonight I'm down here in a firefight But where-ever you are I hope your safe behind the wire We were fighting for freedom in South-East Asia That's how the story ran Windy speeches about a domino falling From China into Vietnam But look back in sickness and anger Australia didnt honour her debt And non-commissioned Officer Thompson learned That the war wasnt over yet (Chorus) Living on your nerves Living on the phone Sleeping in airports far from home Dusted off now and safe behind the wire Well he gave and he gave And he kept on giving Till he just couldnt give anymore And he gave it away one morning in Sydney In a rust-red Commodore And I remember Phill best taling on the phone With a cheeky grin on his face Because Royal Commissioners And Knights of the Realm Thought that Phill didn't know his place And they're still bagging bodies, Phill though fourteen years have gone And the mums and the dads And the wives and the kids Still have to Soldier on. |
 |
 |