Why can't they see?

If I’d been born in 1840; I mighta been from old New York
Wearin’ blue at Fort Blakely, or fightin’ Rebels at Wyse’s Fork
Or I coulda been a Southern Rebel, with a different point of view
Fightin’ the Yanks at Big Bethel; or with Lee at Chicasaw Bayou

Now if I were born in 1880, could-a been from up in Maine
But I mighta been down in Havana, when the Spanish war began                                  
Or maybe I was a rough rider; with Teddy and the boys
Fightin’ those dirty Spaniards and makin’ lotsa fightin’ noise

Now, let’s say I was born in 1900; the timing’s right for WWI
Just-a a doughboy from Kentucky; a real hotshot with a gun
Layin’ there in my cold trench; second battle of the Marne
Firin’ cross that no man’s land, wishin’ I was never born

Now, maybe my first breath was 1920; what waits?  It’s World War II
Ya know, I've never been away from home much; never had a real world view
France, I read about it in my school book; just a place I’d never see
But I did and all I saw there, was the cold deep water of Normandy

Well here I am in 1930; yes, soon will come another war
On the shores of South Korea; fightin’ for Chosin Reservoir. 
And the Battle of old Baldy; Of Osan and Pork Chop Hill
Thousands dead, thousands wounded; now all I want to do is kill

Supposin’ I was born in 1940; it’s Vietnam, so far away
Just a young boy on a stick horse, with so little time to play
I think my father has a good heart; all my elders are so wise
But we fight without good reason; I and thousands will surely die

Now, it’s truly noble to fight for freedom; so all mankind can live free
But war is hell for all us young men; how blind the old, why can’t they see?