(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 is strife They are the 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 you 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 Its printed on their face
I never thought 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 home 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
[JOHN] and [CHORUS] 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 That's why we know Deep in our hearts That they are all Our children too
(After the conference, JOHN introduces ELLEN and CHRIS to his co-workers. CHRIS draws JOHN aside)
[CHRIS] John, you were great. Can I see you alone I gotta know what you meant on the phone What is this news you received You could only tell me
[JOHN] A lot of groups use my Bangkok staff To process problems on their behalf We got this in from the embassy It's not easy to tell you; It's best that you see
[CHRIS] KIM! It's about Kim isn't it? Only you know how hard I tried to get word Tell me first, nothing else, tell me: Did she survive?
[JOHN] You must read the report, Chris But yes, she's alive
[CHRIS] You don't know, John, these nightmares The things that I've seen I have seen her face burned See her shot with my gun I have chased her through streets And heard nothing but screams What's wrong? Come on. There's something more
[JOHN] She has a child You have a son
(shows CHRIS the report)
[CHRIS] You won't believe me but I dreamed this John It's in the nightmare when I see Saigon Jesus, John, I am married Is this story for real?
[JOHN] I'm only telling you what I recieved But our reports can usually be believed Kim's a bar-girl in Bangkok Pal, I know how you feel
[CHRIS] It's too late! I have a whole new life I was in love with Kim, but now I have a wife
[JOHN] Listen, Chris, I know the shock you've had There are solutions here, it isn't always bad
[CHRIS] Oh John, I never told her My wife - how can I tell her? A child - What do I do? I shattered Kim - Now Ellen too
[CHRIS] I have to tell her
[JOHN] I have learned the best thing For a couple to do
[CHRIS] I have to tell her
[JOHN] You should both come to Bangkok I mean Ellen too