50,000 Names
Honoring Sacrifice: 50,000 Names Carved in Memory
Lyrics
There's teddy bears and high school rings
Reference to personal items like teddy bears and high school rings left as tributes.
And old photographs that mamas bring
Mention of old photographs brought by mothers, possibly depicting fathers with their sons playing sports.
Of daddies with their young boys playin' ball
Depiction of fathers bonding with their young boys, particularly through sports like baseball.
There's combat boots he used to wear
Reference to combat boots worn by soldiers in the past.
When he was sent over there
Recollection of the soldier's service overseas and the boots he wore during that time.
And there's fifty thousand names carved in the wall
Noting the fifty thousand names engraved on a memorial wall, likely representing fallen soldiers.
There's cigarettes and cans of beer
Mention of items like cigarettes, beer, and notes expressing longing from those who miss the fallen.
And notes that say, "I miss you dear"
Reference to heartfelt messages from loved ones, including children who may be too overwhelmed to speak.
And children who don't say anything at all
Recognition of the silent grief carried by some, possibly children of the fallen.
There's purple hearts and packs of gum
Referring to military honors like Purple Hearts and personal items like gum.
Fatherless daughters and fatherless sons
Highlighting the impact of war on families, specifically mentioning fatherless daughters and sons.
And there's fifty thousand names carved in the wall
Reiteration of the fifty thousand names on the memorial wall.
They come from all across this land
People coming from all over the country, using various modes of transportation, searching for specific names.
In pickup trucks and mini vans
Depiction of the diverse ways people travel to pay respects to a long-lost friend or family member.
Searchin' for a boy from long ago
Describing the emotional search for a particular person among the many names on the wall.
They scan the wall and find his name
Finding the name on the wall and the emotional release of tears, akin to pouring rain.
The teardrops fall like pourin' rain
Expressing the deep sorrow through tears and leaving a symbolic gift.
Then silently they leave a gift and go
Quietly departing after paying respects to the fallen.
There's stars of David and rosary beads
Various religious symbols, such as Stars of David and rosary beads, left as tributes.
And crucifixion figurines
Depiction of religious artifacts like crucifixion figurines placed in remembrance.
And flowers of all colors large and small
Flowers of different sizes and colors offered in memory of the fallen.
There's a boy scout badge and a merit pin
Mention of personal achievements like a boy scout badge and a merit pin.
Little American flags wavin' in the wind
Symbolic representation of patriotism through American flags waving in the wind.
And there's fifty thousand names carved in the wall
Reiteration of the fifty thousand names engraved on the memorial wall.
Fifty thousand names carved in the wall
Final repetition of the significant number of names etched in memory of the fallen soldiers.
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