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Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2000 05:40:48 -0800
From: JA Batdorf <loco@innercite.com>
Subject: Soldiers' Last Letter [all verses]

The Soldiers' Last Letter
                                As recorded by Merle Haggard and
                                originally Ernest Tubb

The [D]postman delivered a [A7]letter
    And it filled her old heart full of [D]joy
But she didn't know 'till she [G]read the in[E7]side
    It was the [A7]last one from her darlin' boy.

Dear Mom was the way that it started,
    I love you so much it went on
Mom I didn't know that I loved you so
    But I'll prove it when this war is won.

I'm writing this down in a trench Mom
    Don't scold if it isn't so neat
The way that you did when I was a kid
    And I'd come home with mud on my feet

The captain just gave us our orders
    And Mom I will carry them through
And I'll finish this letter the first chance I get
    But for now I'll just say I love you

The mother's old hands began to tremble
    As she fought against tears in her eyes
But they came unashamed for there was no name
    And she knew that her darlin had died

That night as she knelt by her bedside
    She prayed 'God above hear my plea
Protect all the boys that are fighting this war
    And dear God keep America free