He's been the man in every war before

Fought so brave and nearly froze at Valley Forge

And in the big war he was the man

And now in Vietnam we owe a lot to the private



He has the courage of the knights of old

He's America's strenght standing straight and bold

With gun in hand he is a fightin' man

A courageous man yes we owe a lot to the private



He takes the gun and he points it straight

Straight at the heart of the things that free man hates

We owe a lot to the private



He's some lonely girl's only sweetheart

And he's some mother's only son

And he's some father's greatest pride and joy

Oh that great boy yes we owe a lot to the private



He takes the gun...

We owe a lot to the private yes we owe a lot to the private