50,000 Names

Lyrics

There are teddy bears and high school rings  
And old photographs that mamas bring  
That daddies with their young boys, playing ball.  
There's combat boots that he used to wear,  
When he was sent over there.  
There's 50,000 names carved in the wall  
  
There's cigarettes, and theres cans of beer  
And notes that say I miss you dear  
And children who don't say anything at all.  
There's purple hearts and packs of gum  
Fatherless daughters and fatherless sons  
And there's 50,000 names carved in the wall  
  
They come from all across this land  
In pickup trucks and mini vans  
Searching for a boy from long ago  
They scan the wall and find his name  
The teardrops fall like pouring rain  
And silently they leave a gift and go  
  
There's stars of David and rosary beads  
And crucifixion figurines  
And flowers of all colors large and small  
There's a Boy Scout badge and a merit pin  
Little American flags waving in the wind  
And there's 50,000 names carved in the wall.