Welcome Home

[McnaughtonPark]

Welcome Home

 

There’s a veteran in the ballroom

Who wants to be alone

He’s staring down a hallway

A thousand yards or more

The chandelier is heavy

With tears he never cried

Though his feet have kept moving

There’s nowhere safe to hide

The music sounds familiar

He’s heard it once before

His woman used to sing it

Before he went to war

He’s dancing with his right foot

And marching with his left

In the chorus there is beauty

In the verses there is depth

He hates the word survivor

And he hates the chandelier

And he hates she has to hit him

To bring him back to earth

And he hates the f*cking ballroom

And he hates the smell of death

And he hears the front man saying

How he appreciates the vets

But he wants to leave the party

So he plans a big escape

Another hand upon his shoulder

Another well-wishers’ mistake

And the drum is pounding restless

It’s treachery on the floor

His back is to the corner

And his eyes are on the door

So he takes off f*cking running

As hard as can run

But his arms won’t f*cking swing

And his feet are f*cking stuck

Sweat rolls like a river

And they took his f*cking gun

And he screams a silent protest

What’s done is f*cking done

There’s a veteran in the ballroom

Who just wants to be alone

Brother, distant brother

Welcome home

[MPerry]

Hi McNaughton Park

 

Such a powerful and raw narrative from you regarding our veterans- we have no idea what they go through, day to day and when they come home- their experience never ends- which you brilliantly portray- showing us their ongoing nightmares-and the baggage they carry- so all we can do is support them and give thanks to them for their service and selflessness- and to you for telling us like it is!....regards Mike