I wanna be a soldier

(Too young to drink
Too young to vote
But not young to die
Such a young guy yet so grown up
I often ask myself why)

Dad, I wanna be a soldier
I remember hearing him say
A young boys dream
A game that they play
Day by day
Inch by inch
I watched as he grew into a man
Guiding and directing him
Doing the best I can
I taught him honesty
And integrity
To honour and respect
To bow his head in gratitude
When he takes time to reflect
On the many who came and went before
To fight for peace and freedom
And so much more
Dad, I wanna be soldier
Are the words that echo on that day
As I stood on the tarmac
Wishing him well as he went on his way
The last words that he said to me were
Don’t worry Dad, I’ll be okay
I see him still
Running through the yard
My little soldier boy
On that summer day
Bang, bang, he said
As he fired his toy gun
Nah, you missed me, said the other kid
And continued to run away
My fists are clenched
My legs are weak
My eyes are filled with tears
I can’t speak
Standing on this overpass
For what seems like years
My Son is coming home today
He’s coming home for good
Never, ever to be taken away again
My Son is a soldier
My Son is a hero
My Son has come home to rest
And he’s home to stay!