Missing In Action

The warship had landed and I'd come ashore

The fighting was over for me evermore

For I had been wounded, they left me for dead

A stone for my pillow and snow for my bed

The enemy found me and took me away

And made me a prisoner of war, so they say

But God in his mercy was with me one day

The gate was left open and I ran away

I returned to the old home, my sweet wife to see

The home I had built for my darling and me

The door I then opened and there on a stand

I saw a picture of her and a man

The clothes she was wearin' told me the sad tale

My darling was wearing a new bridal veil

Then I found a letter and these words I read

"Missing in action", she thought I was dead

So I kissed her picture and whispered, "Goodbye"

My poor heart was breakin', but my eyes were dry

I knew it was too late for her now to learn

I knew she must never know I had returned

A vagabond dreamer, forever I'll roam

Because there was no one to welcome me home

The face of my darling no more I shall see

For missing in action forever I'll be