50,000 Names

There's Teddy bears

And high school rings

And old photographs that Mama's bring

Of Daddy's with their young boys playin' ball

There's combat boots

He used to wear

When he was sent over there

And there's 50,000 names carved in the wall

There's cigarettes

And 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

There's 50,000 names carved in the wall

They come from all across this land

In pickup trucks and minivans

Searchin' for a boy from long ago

They scan the wall and find his name

Tear drops fall like pourin' rain

Then silently they leave a gift and go

There's stars of David

And rosary beads

And crucifixion figurines

And flowers of all kinds

Large and small

There's a boy scout badge

And a merit pin

Little American flags wavin' in the wind

There's 50,000 names carved in the wall

There's 50,000 names carved in the wall