(To the tune of Terrible Things by Mayday Parade.)
.
It started with smiles and it ended with tears
I'd been with the same people all of those years
There were some hellos and plenty of goodbyes
I wouldn't have gotten through it if they weren't in my life.
There was Frank who hardly anybody could stand
Radar who came a boy and left a man
Trap who pranked the hell out of everyone
And Henry who never got to meet his son.
Now dad, I'm only telling you this
Because life can do terrible things.
.
I laughed and I joked my way all through the war
It was the only way I knew to forget what I saw
You see, there were soldiers who came through sometimes
Who were practically children, yet fighting for life.
Now your Uncle Hawk was as crazy as they got
It was always 'us against them' no matter what
But then I got called home and he wasn't there
And I didn't know how to tell my best friend.
Now Cath and Beck, I'm only telling you this
Because life can do terrible things.
You'll learn, one day, I'll hope and I'll pray
That God shows you differently.
.
It was Friday afternoon when my number got called
It hadn't been long after you had been born
We'd barely left Kimpo before we got shelled
It was the first time I'd ever seen someone get killed.
Slow, so slow, I fell to the ground on my knees.
If another war should start when you're all grown up
Remember what I've told you about all the blood
Run away, run away, don't let it catch you
I can't bear to see the same happen to you.
Now Erin, I'm only telling you this
Because life can do terrible things.
.
