by Joseph Stanfill
Fathers and Sons, Mothers and Daughters
Sent off to war, they go with courage, honor
Most will come back with invisible pain
Some like you, will always stay
Shouldn’t have been you, left so far away
Should have been you, standing here today
Why on earth did I get God’s grace?
Should have been me
I wish I could take your place
I’ve tried to live my life to honor you
Not taking things for granted like I used to
But in the night the darkness comes
I dream about the day that we were overrun
Right by my side, you fought valiantly
A flash and a blast, I couldn’t see
I said your name, and a voice told me
“He saved your life, he didn’t make it you see.”
Now I’m left with memories and regrets
You were so young, hadn’t even had kids yet
Your young bride, at the funeral I held her hand
She misses you so much, and so will your little man
And I know, I could never take your place
I promise I’ll do my best, man, he even has your face
Should have been you that came home to stay
Should have been me, I couldn’t take your place
But now I see, I’m here to hold God’s grace