Lyrics of Vietnamization by HistoryMusicNerd
In ’69, Nixon took the stand,
A plan to change the war, give it to Saigons hands.
“Vietnamization,” he said with pride,
Train them, let them fight – we’ll step aside.
In the last years of the Vietnam war
US troops left, but bombers soared.
It is time for us to leave this land,
Leave the war to their own hand.
Leave with hope that they’ll withstand.
Leave just the air force in command.
So the war keeps raging on,
It is now led by Saigon!
In March of ’72, when Easter came,
the North attacked, Quang Tree in flames.
Then Nixon spoke, „We will strike back!
The US Bombers shall attack.”
In the last years of the Vietnam war
US troops left, but bombers soared.
It is time for us to leave this land,
Leave the war to their own hand.
Leave with hope that they’ll withstand
Leave just the air force in command.
So the war keeps raging on,
It is now led by Saigon!
Operation Linebacker, a thunder in the sky,
Supply lines broken, Hanoi’s running dry.
December ’72, the Christmas rains,
Linebacker II – the shock and pain.
Hanoi burned, more than just threats,
Bombs falling down with no regrets.
In the last years of the Vietnam war
US troops left, but bombers soared.
It is time for us to leave this land,
Leave the war to their own hand.
Leave with hope that they’ll withstand.
Leave just the air force in command.
So the war keeps raging on,
It is now led by Saigon!
Historical Background and Meaning
In short: The “Vietnamization” of the Vietnam War and the Bombing Raids in the last years of the war.
Vietnamization – A War Left Behind
1969 – The United States was deep in the Vietnam War,
but a new strategy was about to change everything.
President Richard Nixon had a plan:
Let South Vietnam fight its own battles.
“Vietnamization,” he said with pride, train them, let them fight – we’ll step aside.”
The Policy of Vietnamization
- US troops would gradually withdraw
- The South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) would take over the fighting
- US air support would remain – but ground troops would leave
“It is time for us to leave this land, leave the war to their own hand.”
The Easter Offensive – A Test of Strength
In March 1972, North Vietnam launched the Easter Offensive.
- Over 120,000 North Vietnamese troops invaded South Vietnam
- Cities like Quảng Trị fell in flames
- ARVN struggled to hold the line
Nixon responded with air power,
ordering Operation Linebacker – a devastating bombing campaign.
“Operation Linebacker, a thunder in the sky, supply lines broken, Hanoi’s running dry.”
The Christmas Bombing – A Final Blow
In December 1972, the US unleashed Operation Linebacker II,
also known as the Christmas Bombing.
- 11 days of relentless bombings over Hanoi and Haiphong
- Over 20,000 tons of explosives dropped
- North Vietnam forced back to the negotiating table
“Hanoi burned, more than just threats, bombs falling down with no regrets.”
Want to Learn More?
- 🎥 Nixon and Vietnamization (YouTube)
- 📖 Vietnamization (Wikipedia)
- 🎥 The Linebacker II Explained (YouTube)
- 🎥 The Easter Offensive Explained (YouTube)
- 📰 Operation Linebacker (Air & Space Magazine)
The War Would Rage On… Without the US
“So the war keeps raging on, it is now led by Saigon!”
By 1973, the US had withdrawn.
By 1975, Saigon fell.
Vietnamization had failed.
