bui-doi lyrics

(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
Concieved in hell
And born is strife
They are the 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 you mind
They are the faces of the children
The ones we left behind

They're called Bui-Doi
The dust of life
Concieved 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
Its printed on their face

I never thought 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
Concieved in hell
And born in strife
We owe them fathers, and a family -
And loving home 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 life
Help me try

[JOHN] and [CHORUS]
They're called Bui-Doi
The dust of life
Concieved in hell
And born in strife
They are the living reminders
Of all the good we failed to do
That's why we know
Deep in our hearts
That they are all
Our children too

(After the conference, JOHN introduces ELLEN and CHRIS to his co-workers.
CHRIS draws JOHN aside)

[CHRIS]
John, you were great. Can I see you alone
I gotta know what you meant on the phone
What is this news you recieved
You could only tell me

[JOHN]
A lot of groups use my Bangkok staff
To process problems on their behalf
We got this in from the embassy
It's not easy to tell you; It's best that
you see

[CHRIS]
KIM! It's about Kim isn't it?
Only you know how hard I tried to
get word
Tell me first, nothing els, tell me: Did
she survive?

[JOHN]
You must read the report, Chris
But yes, she's alive

[CHRIS]
You don't know, John, these nightmares
The things that I've seen
I have seen her face burned
See her shot with my gun
I have chased her through streets
And heared nothing but screams
What's wrong? Come on.
There's something more

[JOHN]
She has a child
You have a son

(shows CHRIS the report)

[CHRIS]
You won't believe me but I dreamed this
John
It's in the nightmare when I see Saigon
Jesus, John, I am married
Is this story for real?

[JOHN]
I'm only telling you what i recieved
But our reports can usually be believed
Kim's a bar-girl in Bangkok
Pal, I know how you feel

[CHRIS]
It's too late! I have a whole new life
I was in love with Kim, but now I have a
wife

[JOHN]
Listen, Chris, I know the shock you've
had
There are solutions here, it isn't always
bad

[CHRIS]
Oh John, I never told her
My wife - how can I tell her?
A child - What do I do?
I shattered Kim - Now Ellen too

[CHRIS]
I have to tell her

[JOHN]
I have learned the best thing
For a couple to do

[CHRIS]
I have to tell her

[JOHN]
You should both come to Bangkok
I mean Ellen too

[CHRIS]
Us both?

[JOHN]
You BOTH should go

(ELLEN re-enters)

[ELLEN]
Hey guys, come on

[CHRIS]
But first...
First Ellen has to know