Page type: lyric reference
Artist: John Williamson
Canonical path: /john-williamson/only-19
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
Only 19
Read Only 19 lyrics by John Williamson on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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Lyrics
Only 19
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Only 19
Mum and Dad and Danny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal
It was a long march from cadets
The sixth battalion was next to tour, it was me who drew the card
We did Canungra, Shoalwater, before we left
And Townsville lined the footpaths as we marched down to the quay
This clipping from the paper shows a youngon', strong and clean
And there's me with me slouch hat, my SLR and greens
God help me - I was only nineteen
From Vung Tau riding Chinooks to the dust at Nui Dat
I'd been in and out of choppers now for months
We made our tents a home, V.B. and pinups on the lockers
And an Asian orange sunset through the scrub
And can you tell me, doctor, why I can't get to sleep?
And night time's just a jungle dark and a barking M.16?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me - I was only nineteen
A four week operation, any step could be your last one on two legs
It was a war within yourself
But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off
So you closed your eyes and you thought about somethin' else
Then someone yelled out "Contact", and the bloke behind me swore
We hooked in there for hours, then a God almighty roar
Frankie kicked the mine the day that mankind kicked the moon
God help me - he was goin' home in June
I can still see Frankie, drinkin' tinnies in the Grand Hotel
On a thirty-six hour rec. leave in Vung Tau
And I can still hear Frankie, lyin' screamin' in the jungle
'Til the morphine came and killed the bloody row
And the Anzac legends didn't mention mud and blood and tears
And the stories that my father told me never seemed quite real
And I caught some pieces in my back that I d
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Who performs "Only 19"?
John Williamson performs "Only 19", and this lyric page sits inside the John Williamson catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Only 19"?
Yes. The related section below points to Wildlife Warriors: It's Time and Dingo with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by John Williamson?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through John Williamson's lyric pages.
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