My Youngest Son Came Home Today
Hello there. First time tabber, so forgive any errors you uncover.
This is an old anti-war tune that should probably also be listed under Eric Bogle,
Mary Black, Elvis Costello, and Billy Bragg - all of em have recorded it
at various times. I became acquainted with the song from hearing the Stipe-Bragg duet
version live at Mountainstage.
My youngest son came home today
His friends marched with him all the way.
A fife and drum beat out the time.
While in his box of polished pine,
Like dead meat on a butcher s tray,
My youngest son came home today.
My youngest son was a fine young man,
With a wife, a daughter, and two sons.
As a man he would have lived and died,
Until by a bullet, sanctified.
Now he s a saint, or so they say,
They brought their young saint home today.
Above the narrow Belfast streets,
An Irish sky looks down and weeps
At children s blood in gutters spilled,
And dreams of glory unfulfilled.
As part of freedom s price to pay,
My youngest son came home today.
My youngest son came home today.
His friends marched with him all the way.
A fife and drum beat out the time.
While in his box of polished pine,
Like dead meat on a butcher s tray,
My youngest son came home today.
And this time he s home...to stay