MISSING IN ACTION
Ernest Tubb


The warships had landed and I came ashore,
the fighting was over for me evermore.
For I had been wounded, they left me for dead,
a stone for my pillow and snow for my bed.
The enemy found me and took me away,
and made me a prisoner of war so they say.
but God in his mercy was with me one day,
the gate was left open and I ran away.

I returned to the old home, my sweet wife to see,
the home I had built for my darling and me.
The door was left open and there on a stand,
I waw a picture of her and a man.
The clothes she was wearing told me a sad tale,
my darling was wearing a new bridal veil.
Then I found a letter and these words I read,
"Missing in Action", She thought I was dead.

So I kissed her picture and whispered good-bye,
my poor heart was breading but my eyes were dry.
I know she'd be happy if she never learned,
I know she must never know I had returned.
A vagabond dreamer forever I'll roam,
because there was no one to welcome me home,
The face of my darling no more will I see,
for Missing in Action for ever I'll be.