The Barr Brothers - Widow's Lawns

In my hometown
I mowed the widow's lawns
And helped my father with the colt
In the barn on Sunday morn'

And then the army came
They called me up
The letter said be at the docks
By 6 o'clock sharp

And I didn't know how to tell you
Only knew how hard that'd be
Less than one year beneath our belt
Still you meant the world to me

But you shouldered me
And you took my hand
Said that you would be here waiting
No matter how far or long I went

And when I returned
We'd build a house by the water
Where we would take long walks in our old age
With our many sons and daughters

So I took that wish
And put it into my backpack
And kissed you on the lips and said
Don't worry, I'll be back

Then I turned away
I could not turn away my tears
I didn't know if when I'd see you next
Would be months or would be years

So I fell in line
And they handed me a gun
And the beds were filled with guys like me
Who had not reached 21

And though the rain was bad
We took solace in our fleet
Happy to have cigarettes
And food enough to eat

And then the orders came
That tomorrow we would fight
And if some of you have loves at home
Then now's the time to write

So I grabbed my pen
And my writing book
But no words would fall upon the page
No matter how hard I shook

So I took my shank
And cut off a piece of hair
And imagined you receiving it
Sitting in your rocking chair

When the boats pulled in
And I could finally see my home
And a band was waiting on the pier
And the half-mast flags were flown

I wheeled myself
From my hospital room
Trying to accept what kind of life
I would resume

And then I saw you there
And you met my eyes
And nothing could prepare for such
A terrible surprise

For in your arms
Was a blue eyed child
And after all the cannons I had faced
This was my greatest trial

In my hometown
I mowed the widow's lawns
And helped my father with the colts
In the barn on Sunday morn'