Traveling Wall

He said his name was Billy and he was headed for the Nam
But he wasn’t really sure if he’d return.
His father had four brothers, who all served in the “Big one”
Live the ‘code of Honor’ was taught by all.
But somewhere in the country, just before his squad was ready,
Young Billy took a bullet that sent him underground.
Now anywhere in our homeland, on mains street USA
Cousin Billy shares a space on the Traveling Wall.
When I met the young Tim Sheridan he had just returned from Nam
Why they sent him home he did not understand.
His father was a lifer’ and a soldier in the “Big one”
Live the ‘code of Honor’ he taught to all.
Tim’s mission in the country was to avenge his brothers killing,
A priest without a prayer in a savage land, and
Anywhere in our homeland, on main street USA
Brother Robert shares a space on the Traveling Wall.
And if we’re not careful, this will happen again and again
Can someone please tell me, when will this madness end?
When will this madness end?
And anywhere in our homeland on main street USA
We come to honor their memories, on the Traveling Wall.
Now they are the “unknown Soldiers” who never made it back from Nam
Prisoners of War and the M.I.A.. (Missing in action)
Their fathers and mothers, the generation of the “Big one”
Had faith in the ‘code of Honor’ when your duty calls.
But somehow that was shattered, by things that really mattered and
All their hopes and prayers could not bring them home
Now anywhere in our homeland, on main street USA
They come to Honor their sons and daughters, on the Traveling Wall.
Some say we are the lucky ones, to make it safely back home,
But the memories and the nightmares still prevail.
To cope we’ve used addictions, of one form or another,
While trying to hide our pain and truth from all.
Yet somewhere in the country, are the men and women we left behind
While politicians negotiate the cost of bail.
Anywhere in our homeland, on main street USA
We come to honor the price they paid on the Traveling Wall.
Now anywhere in our homeland, on main street USA
We come to honor their final ‘resting place’, on the Traveling Wall.