Khe Sanh

by Cold Chisel
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Lyrics

I (Em)left my heart to the (C)sap pers round Khe (G)Sanh

and my (Em)soul was sold with my (C)ci ga rettes to the black (G)mar ket man.

I’ve had the (Em)Vi et nam cold (C)tur key, from the (G)o cean to the Sil ver Ci (C)ty, and it’s (Am7)on ly oth er vets could un der (D)stand

a bout the (Em)long for got ten (C)dock side gua ran (G)tees,

how there were (Em)no V day (C)her oes in (D)nine teen (G)sev en ty three, and how (B)we sailed in to Syd ney Har bour, I saw an (G)old friend but I could n’t kiss her.

She was (Am7)lined, and I was home to the luck y land.

She was (Em)like so ma ny more from that time (G)on.

Their (Em)lives were all so (C)emp ty, ’til they (D)found their (G)cho sen one, and their (Em)legs were of ten o pen, but their (G)minds were al ways closed and their (Am7)hearts were held in (F)fast su bur ban (D)chains.

And the (Em)le gal pads were (C)yel low, hou rs long, pay (C)pack et lean

and the (Em)te lex writ ers (C)clat tered where the gun ships (G)once had been

and (Em)car parks made me jum py and I (G)nev er stopped the dreams

or the (Am7)grow ing need for speed and no va caine.

So I (Em)worked a cross the coun try from end to (G)end.

(D)Tried to find a place to (C)set tle down, where my (D)mixed up (G)life could mend.

I (B)held a job on an oil rig, fly ing (G)chop pers when I could,

but the (Am7)night life near ly drove me round the bend

and I’ve (Em)tra velled round the world from year to year.

And (Em)each one found me aim (C)less, one more year the more for wear.

And (B)I’ve been (Em)back to South East A sia, yeah, but the (G)an swer sure ain’t there, but I’m (Am7)drif ting north, to (D)check things out a (G)gain.

Yeah, the (Em)last plane out of Syd ney’s al most gone,

on ly (Em)sev en fly ing ho (C)urs and I’ll be (D)land ing in Hong (D)Kong.

And there ain’t (Em)noth ing like the kis ses from a (G)ja ded Chi nese princ (C)ess, I’m gon na (Am7)hit some Hong Kong (F)mat tress all night (D)long.

Well, the (Em)last plane out of Syd ney’s al most gone.

You know, the (Em)last plane out of Syd ney’s al most (D)gone.

And it’s (Em)real ly got me wor (C)ried, I’m go in’ (G)no where and I’m in a hur (C)ry.

You know, the (Am7)last plane out of Syd ney’s al most (G)gone.

Well, the (Em)last plane out of Syd ney’s al most gone.

You know, the (Em)last plane out of Syd ney’s al most gone.

(D)No, it’s (Em)real ly got me wor (C)ried, I’m go in’ (G)no where and I’m in a hur ry.

You know, the (Am7)last plane out of Syd (D)ney’s al most (G)gone.

Khe Sanh — Simple Sheet Music

1 person has learned this song

"Khe Sanh" in simplified sheet music format — the bridge between beginner modes and real sheet music. Color-coded notes with lyrics scrolling horizontally. Perfect for learning to read music. Key of G, 164 BPM.

Tip: Start at 50% speed to get comfortable with the fingering, then work your way up to full tempo.

About “Khe Sanh

How does Simplified Piano Arrangement differ from full sheet music for "Khe Sanh"?
Simplified Arrangement keeps the melody and chords on a simplified staff with lyrics, color-coded for easy recognition. It's a learner-bridge between Beginner mode and the classic engraved Sheet Music — same song, less visual density.
What key is "Khe Sanh" by Cold Chisel played in?
Khe Sanh is arranged in the key of G on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Khe Sanh"?
The arrangement plays at 164 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Khe Sanh" easy to play on piano?
Yes — this is one of our beginner-friendly arrangements with simplified chords and color-coded notes.
Can I download sheet music for "Khe Sanh"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Khe Sanh"?
"Khe Sanh" was originally performed by Cold Chisel. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What other songs by Cold Chisel can I play here?
Try "Choir Girl", "Choirgirl", "Choirgirl". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is Simple Sheet good for learning to read sheet music?
Yes! Simple Sheet bridges the gap between beginner color-coded modes and traditional notation. Notes are displayed on a simplified staff with colors, lyrics, and chords — helping you build music reading skills gradually while still enjoying "Khe Sanh". Key of G, 164 BPM.
What's the difference between Simple Sheet and Lead Sheet?
Simple Sheet shows a more streamlined, horizontally scrolling view with color-coded notes on a staff and lyrics below — like a simplified version of real sheet music. Lead Sheet shows melody with chord symbols above and full lyrics. Simple Sheet is the next step toward reading traditional notation.

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