Casualties Of War

Johnny follow your heart right into the grave.
The land itself screams aloud from the sacrifice you have made.
All alone, far from home, you died without a clue
As to what your killing for. Who’s killing you?

I tried to explain to my son why I had to leave
To fight a war in foreign lands so all men shall be free.
The look in his eyes betrayed his thoughts–“My daddy’s not coming back.”
Now I cry and wait to die as the world around me goes black.

It’s not the soldiers with the guns that kill men by the score.
It’s the ones they leave behind–the casualties of war.

Every noise to me is the enemy; no telling how many I’ve slain.
Whatever the cost in blood is paid, a foot of hill we’ll gain.
Sleep impossible as nightly raids signal the coming of mortar shells.
To them I’m just and infidel who deserves to burn in hell.

I put the gun against my head to end my pain and suffering.
I find the strength to kill my brothers, but I fail myself again.
Cursed am I to endure this living nightmare.
In my mind it seems I hear the screams; no longer do I care.

It’s not the soldiers with the guns that kill men by the score.
It’s the ones they leave behind–the casualties of war.

It’s not the soldiers with the guns that kill men by the score.
It’s the ones they leave behind. What are we dying for?

A tear streams down her face as my casket leaves the plane.
A flag is given to my son, who wanted me home to play.
Now at last the end is near. Was is all worth dying for?
It’s not the dead who need the tears, but the living casualties of w