(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