Sincerely, American

Mr. Marine when are you coming home?
it's been far too long since you've been gone
flags been flown, just a battle for pride
is one more day spent down by your graveside

Letters postmarked words soaked in fear
hoping to god that someone is there
Mother and father don't look very well
I guess I'll never know why good men go to hell

Dear Mr. President you'd better wash your hands
did you leave flowers by his grave?
as they lowered him down, did you see his mother cry?
how many lives could you have saved?

there's a horn in the air and a man in uniform
a woman in tears, I can hear the rifle sing
a brown telegram screaming "What was all this for?"
"take it back, take it fucking back, oh god"

Dear Mr. President you'd better wash your hands
did you leave flowers by their graves
as the train left town, did you see his children cry?
how many lives were lost in vain?
how many could you have saved?

it's a long somber walk up Cemetary Hill
you said you'd be home and I'll be here until
you walk through the door, smile full of pride
for now I'll be here waiting down by your graveside