He sat in that long line of barber chairs
And the sergeant asked him "son, would you like to keep your hair?"
He said "yes sir" as he heard those clippers buzz and hum
The sergeant said "well hold out your hands, here it comes"

Semper fi
Do or die
So gung-ho to go and pay the price
Here's to leathernecks
Devil dogs and jarheads
Parris island in july
Semper fi

I sleep in my bed instead of a fox hole
I've never heard my boss tell me to lock and load
Ain't no bullet holes in the side of my suv
'cause the kid next door just shipped out overseas

Semper fi
Do or die
So gung-ho to go and pay the price
Here's to leathernecks
Devil dogs and jarheads
Parris island in july
Semper fi

For the few that wear the dress blues
Hair cut high and tight
Who are proud to be the first ones in the fight
Semper fi

Semper fi
Do or die
So gung-ho to go and pay the price
Here's to leathernecks
Devil dogs and jarheads
Parris island in july
Never leave a man behind
A great marine for life
Semper fi