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Colonel Sam and Mary Jane

From the album Time's New Romans

He thought he’d be a preacher
if that was the only way to reach her
it was that or a baseball career
either way, he was completely sincere

He stole second and rounded third
A Bible in her lap, she hung on his word
They gave it their best for a year or two
But had their fill of the chosen few

The country needed a few recruits
to step into some combat boots
He made the grade and learned to fly
As she lay sleeping he’d kiss her goodbye

His name was Captain Sam
Gone three times to Vietnam
Back home was Mary Jane
doing her best to hide the pain

She’d watch him fly away
and you know she’d count the days
when the news came on she’d pray
and when the children asked all she’d say is

your Daddy is Superman
he’s flying in a faraway land
he’ll be home as soon as he can

and out of sight while they played in the sand
she’d put her face in her hands

Every evening when the kids were down
she’d put on her best nightgown
write him letters and pretend to kiss him
always adding that the kids sure miss him

Thirty years was all they could take
They settled on a crooked lake
They were happy to change their ways
Gator football on Saturdays

Grandkids got spoiled like they always do
Milkshakes for breakfast if they wanted to
Laughing at Papa asleep in his clothes
Or showering outside under the hose

It was way too early when she took ill
They still had a lot of years to fill
She fought hard, braver than most
As she clung to life Sam gave up the ghost

They say life is funny and often cruel
Well, Sam died on April Fool’s
Sacred music filled her ears
at an Arlington grave she held back the tears

The fight left her – she couldn’t be apart
You could say they both died of broken hearts
Colonel Sam and Mary Jane
Lie together now in the Virginia rain

His name was Colonel Sam
Gone three times to Vietnam
Back home was Mary Jane
Doing her best to hide the pain

She’d watch him fly away
and you know she’d count the days
when the news came on she’d pray
and when the children asked all she’d say is

your Daddy is Superman
he’s flying in a faraway land
he’ll be home as soon as he can

and out of sight while they played in the sand
she’d put her face in her hands

©2007 Radio Free Babylon™