Ralphie Parker Went To War

My mind is a mess
And this cane creaks and cracks with every step
I’m in my formal dress
My voice squeaks and stutters
As I try to forget the war crimes my fellow soldiers
Committed in front of me
I can’t shake the remembrance of this american tragedy

To you I’m just a headline
A link to a story you didn’t want to see
Your views on foreign relations:
Condemning the choices by those who fell next to me
Pillow talk, water-cooler banter
It’s all just a topic that’ll disappear
But thanks for all the yellow ribbons
Tied to the fence dividing hope and fear

Oh, I never thought I’d make it home
Oh, so what do I do now?
Acclimate me!
Direction’s hard to follow
Without a gun at my side
I’ve never felt so goddamn hollow
Rerelease me!
Into the freedom I was fighting for
My name’s little ralphie parker, I grew up and I went to war

Lead
Follow
Or get out of the way
Acclimate me!
Direction’s hard to follow
Without a gun at my side
I’ve never felt so fucking hollow
Rerelease me!
Into the freedom I was fighting for
My name’s little ralphie parker
You probably don’t recognize me anymore