[Cadence]

I don't know what I left (I don't know what 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)

'Till I get back home



They gave me a green uniform and black boots for my feet

Eighteen and wild as hell, I thought it would be neat

They put me on a plane to some strange and foreign land

I said good-bye to mom and dad and hello to Uncle Sam



[Chorus]

Once I was a soldier and not afraid to die

Now I'm a little older and not afraid to cry

Everyday I'm thankful just to be alive

When you've been where I've been any kind of life

Is pradise



Christmas of eighty-nine was a lonely time for me

Panama was probably fine but it was nothing like Tennessee

I never thought the day would come when I might have to kill a man

I did not sleep a wink that night but we won for Uncle Sam



[Chorus]

Once I was a soldier and not afraid to die

Now I'm a little older and not afraid to cry

Everyday I'm thankful just to be alive

When you've been where I've been any kind of life

Is pradise



If you've been where I've been any kind of life

Is paradise



It's paradise

Paradise