(In September 1978 JOHN is addressing a conference in Atlanta that
CHRIS and his wife ELLEN are attending at JOHN'S request.)
CHOIR
they're called bui-doi
the dust of life
conceived in hell
and born in strife
they are the living reminders
of all the good we failed to do
we can't forget
must not forget
that they are all our children too
JOHN
like all survivors, I once thought
when I'm home I won't give a damn
but now I know I'm caught
I'll never leave Vietnam
war isn't over when it ends
some pictures never leave your mind
they are the faces of the children
the ones we left behind
they're called bui-doi
the dust of life
conceived in hell
and born in strife
they are the living reminders
of all the good we failed to do
we can't forget
must not forget
that they are all our children too
these kids hit walls on every side
they don't belong in any place
their secret they can't hide
it's printed on their face
I never thought one day I'd plead
for half-breeds from a land that's torn
but then I saw a camp for children
whose crime was being born
they're called bui-doi
the dust of life
conceived in hell
and born in strife
we owe them fathers, and a family
and loving homes they never knew
because we know
deep in our hearts
that they are all our children too
these are souls in need
they need us to give
someone has to pay
for their chance to live
help me try
CHORUS
they're called bui-doi
the dust of life
conceived in hell
JOHN AND CHORUS
and born in strife
they are the living reminders
of all the good we failed to do
CHORUS JOHN
that's why we know that's why we know
deep in our hearts deep in our hearts
CHORUS
that's why we know
JOHN
that they are all our children...
JOHN AND CHORUS
...too
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