Okie Soldier
Homebound Hero's Journey: Okie Soldier's Tale of Love and War
Lyrics
Well I turned 21 with my hands around a gun
Turning 21 with a gun in hand, reflecting on military service.
Stumblin' through the burnin' fields of war
Describing experiences in war-torn fields.
Chokin' on the dust and sand of a harsh and foreign land
Suffering in a foreign land, choked by dust and sand.
I lost sight of just who I was before
Losing identity in the midst of war, a personal transformation.
Send my love to the red river valley
Expressing love for the red river valley.
Sing a song for my Oklahoma home
Singing for the homeland, particularly Oklahoma.
Tell the one who's waiting there with the long braid in her hair
Addressing someone with a long braid, a symbol of familiarity.
When I come returning I'll be nevermore to roam
Commitment to return, implying an end to wandering.
Well I faced the enemy and he was just as brave as me
Facing a brave enemy, acknowledging shared courage.
Through the night we took the fight in turns
Describing the cyclical nature of fighting through the night.
When our mortar cut him down he lay groaning on the ground
Encountering the impact of war, mortality, and suffering.
And we could not understand his dying words
Difficulty understanding the dying words of the enemy.
Send my love to the red river valley
Reiterating love for the red river valley.
Sing a song for my Oklahoma home
Continuing to sing for Oklahoma, a connection to home.
Tell the one who's waiting there with the long braid in her hair
Addressing the one waiting with a long braid, a symbol of constancy.
When I come returning I'll be nevermore to roam
Expressing a commitment to never roam again upon return.
When they saw what we had done they said we're proud of you son
Recognition and pride from others for the soldier's actions.
You did what we brought you here to do
Acknowledging the fulfillment of the soldier's duty.
Will you fight with us again and I thought of my good men
Reflecting on comrades and the decision to continue fighting.
And I signed my name and swore to see it through
Committing to see the mission through, signing up again.
Send my love to the red river valley
Repeating the message of love for the red river valley.
Sing a song for my Oklahoma home
Continuing to sing for Oklahoma, a sense of longing for home.
Tell the one who's waiting there with the long braid in her hair
Addressing the one with a long braid, a connection to a specific person.
When I come returning I'll be nevermore to roam
Reiterating the commitment to stay after returning.
Comment