Fading Ink and Battle Scars

I met him on a red-eye flight, October double-0-9
We drank that old bird dry of whisky
Telling stories of our lives, I saw a tear leave his eye
Talking 'bout a son that he had never seen
We shared some laughs, a game of cards
Fading ink and battle scars, and he said

"I been busted up alright, and I did my time in 'nam
Got a train bound for nowhere, right here on my left arm"
Showed him a photo of my daughter, said I pray there's more to come
These marks on my face from a drunken race when I banged up my first car
Faded ink and battle scars

We matched each other drink for drink, then we didn't sleep a wink
Telling tales about the times that we've led
And he watched as I got mad, as I spoke of my Dad
The man who left before I took my first breath
Last thing he said to me as we touched down
"If he met you, son, he'd be proud"

I been busted up alright, and I did my time in 'nam
Got a train bound for nowhere, right here on my left arm
Showed him a photo of my daughter, said I pray there's more to come
These marks on my face from a drunken race when I banged up my first car
Faded ink and battle scars

My dear old mother saw the light, last year, 21 July
Goin' through her things I found a frame
Buried in a secret place, I 'membered a familiar face
And there on his left arm I saw that train
And I was back on that flight, and those tears were filling my eyes
'Cause my old man said

"I been busted up alright, and I did my time in 'nam
Got a train bound for nowhere, right here on my left arm"
Showed him a photo of my daughter, said I pray there's more to come
These marks on my face from a drunken race when I banged up my first car

I been busted up alright, and I did my time in 'nam
Got a train bound for nowhere, right here on my left arm
Showed him a photo of my daughter, said I pray there's more to come
These marks on my face from a drunken race when I banged up my first car
Faded ink and battle
Faded ink and battle scars