Soldier's Letter - Merle Haggard

I’m writing this down in a trench, mom

Don’t scold if it isn’t so neat

The way that you did when I was a kid

And I’d come home with mud on my feet

The captain just gave us our orders

And Mom I will carry them through

And I’ll finish this letter, the first chance I get

But for now I’ll just say, I love you

Then the mother’s old hands began to tremble

And she fought against tears in her eyes

But they came unashamed 'cause there was no name

And she knew that her soldier had died

And then she knelt down by her bedside

And she prayed, Lord above hear my plea

Protect all the soldiers who are fighting tonight

And dear God, keep America free

I’m writing this down in a trench, mom

Don’t scold if it isn’t so neat

The way that you did when I was a kid

And I’d come home with mud on my feet