HE GAVE HIS ALL
HE GOT ON THE BUS THIS MORNING
WITH HIS DIPLOMA IN HIS HAND
NOW HE'S OFF TO GO TO BOOT CAMP
WITH AN INVITE FROM UNCLE SAM
HE WORE A CAP AND GOWN LAST EVENING
UNDERNEATH A SUIT AND TIE
NOW HE'S OFF TO PUT ON CAMOUFLAGE
WITH A TEARDROP IN HIS EYE
HE LOVED HIS HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART
AND SHE WORE HIS HIGH SCHOOL RING
SHE WAS THE SWEETEST OF THE CHEERLEADERS
HE WAS CAPTAIN OF THE FOOTBALL TEAM
LOOKING FORWARD TO A WEDDING
HAD TO SET ASIDE THEIR PLANS
'CAUSE HE JUST GOT HIS INVITATION
TO A PLACE CALLED VIET NAM
NOW COLLEGE WILL HAVE TO WAIT
AND HIS JOB'S BEEN PUT ON HOLD
HE WILL NEVER WEAR HIS SWEETHEARTS GIFT
OF A SIMPLE BAND OF GOLD
HE GAVE HIS HEART TO HIS ONE TRUE LOVE
HE GAVE HIS SOUL TO THE MAN UPSTAIRS
HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY
AND NOW HE'S EVER IN OUR PRAYERS
NOW HE GUARDS ST. PETER'S PEARLY GATES
IN HIS DRESS BLUES AND GLOVES OF WHITE
HE'S THE BEST DAMN M.P. IN ALL OF HEAVEN
WHO STANDS IN GOD'S ETERNAL LIGHT
HE GAVE HIS ALL TO THE FOOTBALL TEAM
HE WORE HIS COLORS WITH PRIDE
HE WAS TRUE TO HIS OLD SCHOOL
WHO OFFERED HIM A FREE RIDE
HE GAVE HIS LOVE TO HIS SWEETHEART
AND TO HIM, HER TRUE LOVE SHE GAVE
HE GAVE HIS ALL TO HIS COUNTRY
AND HE DIED SO PROUD AND BRAVE
FROM A JERSEY TO A CAP AND GOWN
FROM A SUIT TO COMBAT FATIGUES
TO A FLAG COVERED COFFIN
HE'S GRADUATED TO HEAVEN'S MAJOR LEAGUES
FROM A WHITE ROBE AND A HALO
HE'S BEEN PROMOTED TO CHIEF M.P.
HE'S FULLY HONORED AND DECORATED
HE GAVE HIS ALL FOR YOU AND ME
IT ONLY SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY
WHEN HE WAS JUST A LAD
HE SAID GOODBYE TO HIS SWEETHEART
NOW HE'S OFF TO BE A MAN
HE GOT ON THE BUS THAT MORNING
WITH A NOTE FROM UNCLE SAM
HE GAVE HIS ALL TO THE ONES HE LOVED
HE GAVE HIS ALL IN VIET NAM
© by Buddy McPeters
12 January 2001
