June the 16th, it was nineteen eighty two
I was coverin' a war with my photo crew
Early in the morning, a good story I could smell
Give folks the scoop 'bout how war is hell

There's a riot goin' on
To the war zone I have gone
There's a riot goin' on
Down n' shell shocked is my line.

The riot started by the pool outside my door
Spread into the dining room. First course's a casualty of war
Room Service Eric said, "It's too late to quit"
Pass the sangria, Bill. Let's drink a little bit"

There's a riot goin' on
To the war zone I have gone
There's a riot goin' on
Down n' shell shocked is my line.

Y'all gotta film that stuff goin' on over there
If ya don't film that riot, there's no Pulitzer to share
I said, "Hey now boys, get ready to run
Here come the waitress with an automatic gun"

There's a riot goin' on
To the war zone I have gone
Lili Marlene is my song
Down n' shell shocked is my line

In less than half an hour empty beer glasses
got our men
Combat ain't like I thought it'd be
for dead cervaza soldiers I've a yen.

There's a riot goin' on
To the war zone I have gone
And the people I can con
Down n' shell shocked is my line