By: jimmy buffett   1970   I didn't know we were at war   I've been away so long   Trying to help once lost men   Distinguish right from wrong   I didn't know we'd killed the men   Our leaders proud and strong   The situation's changed my friend   I've been away too long      I taught my friends   How we had gained respect for every man   And freedom flowed like jungle streams   While peace embraced the land   I told them how we'd learned to change   Our sword blades into plows   I told them they should learn from us   What should I tell them now      Chorus:   'cause I didn't know we were at war   I've been away so long   Trying to help once lost men   Distinguish right from wrong      The jungle silence shut them off   From civilized mankind   Their nakedness was no disgrace   No censors could I find   The population lived in peace   All brothers on their own   And now that I have seen the mess   I don't think I'll go home      Chorus:   'cause I didn't know we were at war   I've been away so long   I told them they should learn from us   I think I told them wrong