Billy Joel brought Vietnam war veterans on stage to sing the chorus when he performed this in concerts. I tried to find the most fitting imagery for the lyrics. The vocals are so strained because I had just finished recording Kenosha Kid. Reading about the Lazarus missions in 'Called To Serve' by Bo Gritz was definitely an eye-opener...

Guitar: Taylor 814ce Audio recorder: Zoom H6 Vocals microphone: SM7B Guitar microphone: SM81

Lyrics and chords:

C Dm Dm7 C We met as soul mates on Parris Island, Dm Dm7 C we left as inmates from an asylum. Em Am Em Am And we were sharp, as sharp as knives Dm C G C G and we were so gung-ho to lay down our lives.

C Dm Dm7 C We came in spastic like tameless horses, Dm Dm7 C we left in plastic as numbered corpses. Em Am Em Am And we learned fast to travel light, Dm C Bb G Dm G our arms were heavy but our bellies were tight.

C Dm Dm7 C We had no home front, we had no soft soap. Dm Dm7 C They sent us Playboy, they gave us Bob Hope. Em Am Em Am We dug in deep and shot on sight Dm F G C G and prayed to Jesus Christ with all of our might.

C Dm Dm7 C We had no cameras to shoot the landscape Dm Dm7 C we passed the hash pipe and played our Doors tapes. Em Am Em Am And it was dark, so dark at night Dm F and we held on to each other, like brother to brother, Bb F G we promised our mothers we'd write.

         F      Bb     C       C7

And we would all go down together, F Bb C C7 we said we'd all go down together, F Bb G F Dm C yes, we would all go down together.

C Dm Dm7 C Remember Charlie, remember Baker, Dm Dm7 C they left their childhood on every acre. Em Am Em Am And who was wrong? And who was right? Dm C Bb G It didn't matter in the thick of the fight.

Am Em C Dm E Dm E We held the day in the palm of our hand.

Am Em C Dm E Dm C They ruled the night and the night seemed to last Em Dm Dm7 C as long as six weeks on Parris Island. Dm Dm7 C We held the coastline, they held the highlands, Em Am Em Am and they were sharp, as sharp as knives, Dm F they heard the hum of motors, they counted the rotors Bb Dm7 G and waited for us to arrive.

         F      Bb     C       C7

And we would all go down together, F Bb C C7 we said we'd all go down together, F Bb G F Dm Bb yes, we would all go down together.

Source: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/billy-joel/goodnight-saigon-chords-1045453