The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #108354   Message #2391868
Posted By: Jay777
18-Jul-08 - 04:18 AM
Thread Name: Songs about airplanes, aeroplanes, air travel
Subject: Lyr Add - The Green Berets
Another new-to-me thread. SouthernCelt mentioned this song, so may as well post the lyrics. "Berets" is pronounced the US way, with the emphasis on the last syllable: "bur-RAY"

THE GREEN BERETS, lyrics by SSgt. Barry Sadler, music Robin Moore

Fighting soldiers from the sky,
Fearless men who jump and die,
Men who mean just what they say,
The brave men of the Greet Berets.

CHORUS:
Silver wings upon their chests,
These are men, America's best,
One hundred men we'll test today,
But only three win the Green Beret.

Trained to live off nature's land,
Trained to combat hand to hand.
Men who fight by night and day,
Courage take from the Green Berets.

CHORUS

Back at home a young wife waits,
Her Green Beret has met his fate,
He has died for those oppressed,
Leaving her this last request:

"Put silver wings on my son's chest,
Make him one of America's best,
He'll be a man they'll test one day,
Have his turn to win the Green Beret."

This is another of those songs which is probably not considered PC these days, and I personally don't like songs that glorify war. However, it's a good, rousing, tune, and reflects the attitude of many people in the mid-60s, before the anti-Vietnam War campaign really got going.