Readjustment Blues
Readjustment Blues: Unveiling the Struggle of a Veteran's Return
Lyrics
Just out of the infantry this morning,
Expressing recent completion of infantry service.
I had to pay my dues across the sea,
Refers to fulfilling obligations or hardships overseas.
But no one back in boot camp ever warned me,
No warning in boot camp about the challenges of readjustment.
What the readjustment blues would do to me.
Anticipating difficulties in adapting to post-military life.
"Welcome to Havannah", said the pilot,
A sarcastic comment on unexpected arrival in Havana.
"We must have made a wrong turn on the way."
Realization of being in Washington D.C., not Havana.
"Let's buy some cigars and keep it quiet,
Suggesting staying low-key to avoid attention.
If they don't know we're here we'll get away."
Hopeful that secrecy will lead to a smooth escape.
Just as I had realized he was joking,
Discovering the pilot's earlier joke about location.
I saw we were in Washington D.C.,
Recognition of being in Washington D.C.
'Cause there was all the patriotic buildings.
Observing patriotic buildings reminiscent of TV.
Just like I had seen them on T.V.
Noting the familiar scenes from television.
It must have been a holiday,
Recognition of a possible holiday with a parade.
'cause there was this parade.
Describing a parade with unreadable signs.
People carried signs I couldn't read that they had made.
People expressing their views through signs.
'Till I got closer and my heart fell to my socks;
Realizing the seriousness of the situation.
There was a battle raging and
Encountering a protest turning violent.
The air was filled with teargas and rocks.
Describing the chaos with teargas and rocks.
There was the flag I'd fought against so often,
Seeing the flag he fought against displayed negatively.
The one I fought for hanging upside down,
Contrasting emotions about the flag he fought for.
The wind was blowing hard, the dirt was flying,
Describing a turbulent and unsettling atmosphere.
It made the city sky look dark and brown.
Visualizing a polluted city sky due to the protest.
I saw a girl, she could have been my sister,
Spotting a girl resembling a sibling in the crowd.
Except her hair was long and in her face,
Noting the girl's distinctive long, obstructive hair.
She explained this was a demonstration,
Explaining the purpose of the demonstration for peace.
Against the war and for the human race.
Connecting the protest to anti-war sentiments.
Now I've seen a lot of strange things in my travels,
Reflecting on bizarre experiences during travels.
Cannibals, yes, and aliens galore,
List of unusual encounters, including cannibals and aliens.
But I never thought I'd see so many people
Expressing surprise at the magnitude of anti-war sentiment.
Saying we don't want your + + + war!
Crowds vehemently opposing involvement in war.
The troops all had on uniforms
Observing protesters in uniforms similar to his own.
Just like the one I'd worn,
Highlighting the similarity between domestic and foreign uniforms.
But they were all domestic and my duty chose war.
Reflecting on personal duty and choices regarding war.
They carried guns just like the ones across the sea,
Drawing parallels between domestic and foreign armed forces.
Except this time I was the citizen
Reversal of roles, with the citizen now facing armed forces.
And they were pointing their guns at me,
Feeling the pressure of being targeted by guns.
Yes, I was just a citizen and
Realizing vulnerability as a civilian in a tense situation.
I was walking down the street,
Describing an ordinary civilian moment before realization hits.
And it was just then that the Readjustment Blues
The moment when the impact of readjustment becomes clear.
Got through to me.
The emotional experience of the Readjustment Blues setting in.
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