Ballad of the Green Berets!
"Ballad of the Green Berets" is a
patriotic song in the ballad style
about the Green Berets, an elite
special force in the U.S. Army. It
is one of the very few songs of
the 1960s to cast the military in
a positive light and yet it became
a major hit, reaching number one
on the Billboard Charts for five
weeks in 1966. It was also a
multi-market smash, reaching #1
on Billboard's Easy Listening
chart, and #2 on Billboard's
Country survey.
The song was written by Robin Moore and Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, while the latter was recuperating from a leg wound suffered as a medic in the Vietnam War. Moore also wrote a non-fiction book, The Green Berets, about the force.
Official Lyrics
Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret
Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men we'll test today
But only three win the Green Beret
Trained to live, off nature's land
Trained in combat, hand to hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage deep, from the Green Beret
Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men we'll test today
But only three win the Green Beret
Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her his last request
Put silver wings on my son's chest
Make him one of America's best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win the Green Beret
