Intro:
Verse 1:
The year was '69
Ain't much on my mind
Nothing but my new spit shined shoes
A man came up to me; he said
Congratulations son, you're in the U.S. Army

Chorus 1:
Mama' I shot a man down in Vietnam
He looked me in the eyes, and I said now son, you're gonna die
And I know where I'm going, I'm going down, oh I'm going anyhow
But please forgive me mother, this ain't me, oh no it ain't me, no no no

Bridge 1:
Yeah, I shot him down
He fell to the ground,
And hit that floor,
Didn't say much more

Verse 2:
Look out for them mines
All this panic on my mind
I'm just trying to make due
A man came up to me; he said
Congratulations son, here's your gun and your canteen

Chorus 2:
Mama' I shot a man down in Vietnam
He looked me in the eyes, and I said now son, you're gonna die
And I know where I'm going, I'm going down, oh I'm going anyhow
But please forgive me mother, this ain't me, oh no it ain't me, no no no

Bridge 2:
Yeah, I shot him down
He fell to the ground,
And hit that floor,
Didn't say much more

Verse 3:
No more cars driving by,
Just 'chopters in the sky
Blowin away the morning dew
And where are those city lights
Now it's just corrupt fire fights
Oh God how I miss my home

Chorus 3:
Mama' I shot a man down in Vietnam
He looked me in the eyes, and I said now son, you're gonna die
And I know where I'm going, I'm going down, oh I'm going anyhow
But please forgive me mother, this ain't me, oh no it ain't me, no no no

Take it away!

Solo (Outro):