Ballad of Balad Lyrics

I quit school in the 10th grade and I grew out my hair
I got me a job doing lawn mower repair
I met an army recruiter down at the Winn-Dixie
He said "Son, you′ve no future, pack up and go with me"
The first place we landed was a base called Balad
They convoyed our asses to a 10 acre fob
With my boots and my cover and an old M16
2 Bottles of water and a cold MRE

Oh, you'll meet lots of new friends and you′re sure to get paid
We'll show you the world and we'll teach you a trade
It′s not a job, it′s an adventure, oh yes sir, I got that
Ah, but you never told me I'd get my ass shot at
You never told me I′d get my ass shot at

The first night in combat we went on patrol
They ambushed our convoy and we chased the assholes
We found them all hiding in low water ditches
And we took aim and killed all them son of a bitches
Oh yeah

You'll meet lots of new friends and you′re sure to get paid
We'll show you the world and we′ll teach you a trade
It's not a job, it's an adventure, oh yes sir, I got that
Ah, but you never told me I′d get my ass shot at
You never told me I′d get my ass shot at

Walked in on my buddy with a female MP
Ugliest woman you ever did see
He said "Why are you laughing? You got lots of nerve
Over here in the desert we grade on a curve"

Oh, you'll meet lots of new friends and you′re sure to get paid
We'll show you the world and we′ll teach you a trade
It's not a job, it′s an adventure, oh yes sir, I got that
Ah, but you never told me I'd get my ass shot at
Oh, you never told him he'd get his ass shot at