Camouflage

I was a PFC on a search patrol huntin' 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 movin' in close outside

Just then I heard a twig snap and I grabbed my empty gun

And I dug in scared while I counted down my fate

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 tangle 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."

Whoa Camouflage

Things are never quite the way they seem

Whoa 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 bush

And all around our ears

It was then I saw this big Marine light a fire in his eye

And it was strange but suddenly I forgot my fears

Well, we fought all night side by side we took our battle stance

And I wondered how the bullets missed this man

'Cause they seemed to go right through him

As if he wasn't there

And in the mornin' we both took a chance and ran

And it was near the river bank when the ambush came on top of us

And I'd thought it was the end and we were had

Then a bullet with my name on it came buzzin' through a bush

And that big marine he just swatted it with his hand

Just like it was a fly

Whoa Camouflage

Things are never quite the way they seem

Whoa Camouflage

This was an awfully strange Marine

And I knew there was something weird about him

'Cause when I turned around he was pullin' a big palm tree

Right up out of the ground

And swattin' those Charlies with it from here to Kingdom Come

When he led me out of 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 HQ, I told 'em about my night

And the battle I'd spent with a big marine named Camouflage

When I said his name a soldier gulped

And a medic took my arm

And led me to a green tent on the right

He said, "You may be tellin' the truth boy,

But this here is Camouflage,

And he's been right here since he passed 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 barrage

So here, take his dog tag, son,

I know he'd want you to have it now."

And we both said a prayer for a big marine named Camouflage

Whoa Camouflage

Things are never quite the way they seem

Whoa Camouflage

This was an awfully big marine

So next time you're in a jungle fight

And you feel the presence near

Or hear a voice that in your mind will lie

Just be thankful that you're not alone

And you got some company

From a big Marine the boys called Camouflage

Whoa Camouflage

Things are never quite the way they seem

Whoa Camouflage

This was an awfully big Marine

Whoa Camouflage

Things are never quite the way they seem

Whoa Camouflage

This was an awfully big Marine

• Artist:Stan Ridgway
• Album:The Big Heat (1986)