The War

I don't smell your bourbon today
Just car exhaust and a drizzle on the dirt
Waiting on the city bus
At Constitution and 21st

A kid sits down with his face to his phone
If you were here I can just hear what you'd say
"Try being 19 in '69 boy"
Spitting Sunny Brook right in his face

You shot 'em down in '73
The war was all but over
Took a month to make it home
And six more before you could hold her
Somewhere on these city streets
You lost your will and your composure
The war is anything but over

You'd take me once a week to walk that wall
That does not bear your name
Relive the war, relive the return
To the girl who never took your name

As far as I can tell
That was the only thing she didn't take
The girl and the war always left me
Not knowing what to say

You shot 'em down in '73
The war was all but over
Took a month to make it home
And six more before you could hold her
Somewhere on these city streets
You lost your will and your composure
The war is anything but over

Haven't seen you around in a spell
I hear you're drying out, and raising hell
A friend locked you in at the Stardust
Poor man's rehab is a cheap motel

Sometimes an outsider knows what you need
Better than anyone you've ever tried to be
No one picks a fight they think they would lose
But some battles you don't get to choose

You shot 'em down in '73
The war was all but over
Took a month to make it home
And six more before you could hold her
Somewhere on these city streets
You lost your will and your composure
The war is anything but over
The war is anything but over