I don't know why I left
(I don't know why I left)
But I know it won't be long
(But I know it won't be long)
No, it won't be long
(No, it won't be long)
Til I get back home
They gave me a green uniform
And black boots for my feet
18 and wild as hell
I thought it would be neat
They put me on a plane
To some strange foreign land
I said goodbye to Mom and Dad
And hello to Uncle Sam
[Chorus]
Once I was a soldier
Not afraid to die
But now I'm a little older
And not afraid to cry
Every day I'm thankful
Just to be alive
When you've been where I've been
Any kind of life
Is paradise
Christmas of '89
Was a lonely time for me
Panama was prob'ly fine
But it was nothin' like Tennessee
Never thought the day would come
When I might have to k** a man
I did not sleep a wink that night
But we won for Uncle Sam
[Chorus]
If you've been where I've been
Any kind of life
Is paradise
It's paradise
Paradise