Don McLean Follow

In 1967, the draft caught up with me
Me and my pal Joe went off to war
We might find hero's heaven
But we'd keep the country free
We would surely win just like before

Roy Rogers he was on his horse
And Buck Jones drew his gun
We would surely win of course
When the battle was all done

1967, I came back alone
They brought Joe back in plastic on the plane
1967 seems so long ago
But I can't forget my friend or ease my pain

His family may forget him
His children may regret him
His wife may find another
And go on

His picture may grow faded
And the world he knew gone jaded

But as long as I shall live I surely know
I never will forget my buddy Joe

In 1967, the war was raging on
Our country was divided and reborn
Though I was back at home, I had never left Saigon
'Cause all I got was ridicule and scorn

This was no place for hero's now
They all seemed to resent me
They said, "Why did you ever go?"
I said, "Because they sent me"

1967, they buried my friend Joe
And I was flashing back while people wept
I thought of how he saved us
And I watched the land-mine blow

And I looked down at his dog-tag that I kept
You'll always be a young man
You always will be smiling
You always will be confident and true

Your picture may grow faded
And the world you knew gone jaded

But as long as I shall live I surely know
I never will forget my buddy Joe

Long as I shall live I surely know
I never will forget you buddy Joe