A GUY NAMED JOE
(Harlan Howard)

Ernest Tubb


I stepped ashore in Tokyo feeling kind a blue
For I was trying to forget a love that was untrue
When by my side I found a lad, his dark eyes all aglow
He looked at me so hopefully and said is you’re name, Joe?

For Joe’s my Daddy’s name and he will soon be sailing cross the sea
He said will come back bye and bye and Joe would never lie
The warship took my dad away and mommy needs him so
And every night I hear her pray “Dear God, where is my Joe?”

Instrumentals

Somewhere back home a guy named Joe is probably sipping beer
Does he know how important he could be if he was here?
Has he forgotten this little lad who needs his daddy so?
A promise made, a debt unpaid, their waiting for you Joe

Yes, Joe’s his daddy’s name and he will never sail across that sea
A stranger in a foreign land he let his heart get out of hand
The warship took his dad away and he’s too young to know
That off across the ocean there’s a million guys’s named Joe


(Contributed by lylemalone - February 2005)