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(In September 1978 JOHN is addressing a conference in Atlanta that CHRIS and |
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his wife ELLEN are attending at JOHN'S request.) |
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CHOIR |
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They're called bui-doi |
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The dust of life |
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Conceived in hell and born in strife |
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They are the living reminders |
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Of all the good we failed to do |
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We can't forget |
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Must not forget |
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That they are all our children too |
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JOHN |
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Like all survivors, I once thought |
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When I'm home I won't give a damn |
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But now I know I'm caught |
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I'll never leave Vietnam |
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War isn't over when it ends |
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Some pictures never leave your mind |
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They are the faces of the children |
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The ones we left behind |
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They're called bui-doi |
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The dust of life |
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Conceived in hell and born in strife |
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They are the living reminders |
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Of all the good we failed to do |
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We can't forget |
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Must not forget |
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That they are all our children too |
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These kids hit walls on every side |
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They don't belong in any place |
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Their secret they can't hide |
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It's printed on their face |
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I never thought one day I'd plead |
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For half-breeds from a land that's torn |
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But then I saw a camp for children |
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Whose crime was being born |
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They're called bui-doi |
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The dust of life |
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Conceived in hell |
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And born in strife |
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We owe them fathers, and a family |
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And loving homes they never knew |
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Because we know |
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Deep in our hearts |
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That they are all our children too |
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These are souls in need |
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They need us to give |
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Someone has to pay |
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For their chance to live |
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Help me try |
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CHORUS |
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They're called bui-doi |
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The dust of life |
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Conceived in hell |
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JOHN AND CHORUS |
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And born in strife |
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They are the living reminders |
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Of all the good we failed to do |
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CHORUS JOHN |
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That's why we know That's why we know |
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Deep in our hearts Deep in our hearts |
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CHORUS |
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That's why we know |
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JOHN |
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That they are all our children... |
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JOHN AND CHORUS |
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...too |
