He packed his bag he's leaving town had seen enough to care
Had fifteen dollars in his hand to get from here to there
He took his time made up his mind

His father pled son stay at home there's work back on the farm
I went this route when I was a boy with a gun held in my arms
Saw so many die with star spangled eyes

He packed his mother's only Bible down take a Rosary she said
And son please say your prayers tonight when you lay down your head

Cuz it's a long ride home on these tired roads tonight
Old Johnny died on war torn streets in the fading summer light
They laid him in the ground today his father shook his head
I only wish he'd stayed at home instead

He sits alone under the stars on a porch swing made of steel
His head hung low down to the ground for the pain that he now feels
Why he let him go, God only knows

He packed his mother's only Bible down take a Rosary she said
And son please say your prayers tonight when you lay down your head