A
Well I guess I was born with a gun in my hand
                  D                           A    G D A
We'd walk the big clearcuts in the pine timberland
                  A
Well the army man told me that I could defend the free
                 D                             A    G D A
Aw and draw me a paycheck, get a tech-school degree
               A
I said hey now Sergeant, that sure does sound fine
                       D                          A     G D A
Well the sawmill ain't hiring, tell me where do I sign


[Chorus]
E                 G       D
Won't you light a lantern for me
E                D       A
I'll be gone but not for long
E                G      D
Won't you keep a candle burning
E                 G           D
Won't you leave a porch light on


[Verse 2]
                        A
Well my hands are still steady and they still hold a gun
                   D                             A   G D A
And this suit of a soldier for your Southeastern son
                     A
Well tell mom not to worry if she's taking it hard
                      D                             A      G D A
Never thought I'd see action back when I joined the Guard
                      A
Well all this will be over more later than soon
                D                             A    G D A
As I wrote in a letter beneath the big Afghan moon


[Chorus]
E                 G       D
Won't you light a lantern for me
E                D       A
I'll be gone but not for long
E                G      D
Won't you keep a candle burning
E                 G           D
Won't you leave a porch light on

E                 G       D
Won't you light a lantern for me
E                D       A
I'll be gone but not for long
E                G      D
Won't you keep a candle burning
E                 G           D
Won't you leave a porch light on