Bui-doi Lyrics - Miss Saigon

(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 your 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 secrets they can't hide 

Its printed on each face 

I never thought one day 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 - 

A 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 

[CHRIS] 

Us both? 

[JOHN] 

You BOTH should go 

(ELLEN re-enters) 

[ELLEN] 

Hey guys, come on 

[CHRIS] 

But first... 

First Ellen has to know