Fading Ink and Battle Scars

I met him on a red-eye flight, October double-0-9 We drank that old bird dry of whisky Telling stories of our lives, I saw a tear leave his eye Talking 'bout a son that he had never seen We shared some laughs, a game of cards Fading ink and battle scars, and he said "I been busted up alright, and I did my time in 'nam Got a train bound for nowhere, right here on my left arm" Showed him a photo of my daughter, said I pray there's more to come These marks on my face from a drunken race when I banged up my first car Faded ink and battle scars We matched each other drink for drink, then we didn't sleep a wink Telling tales about the times that we've led And he watched as I got mad, as I spoke of my Dad The man who left before I took my first breath Last thing he said to me as we touched down "If he met you, son, he'd be proud" I been busted up alright, and I did my time in 'nam Got a train bound for nowhere, right here on my left arm Showed him a photo of my daughter, said I pray there's more to come These marks on my face from a drunken race when I banged up my first car Faded ink and battle scars My dear old mother saw the light, last year, 21 July Goin' through her things I found a frame Buried in a secret place, I 'membered a familiar face And there on his left arm I saw that train And I was back on that flight, and those tears were filling my eyes 'Cause my old man said "I been busted up alright, and I did my time in 'nam Got a train bound for nowhere, right here on my left arm" Showed him a photo of my daughter, said I pray there's more to come These marks on my face from a drunken race when I banged up my first car I been busted up alright, and I did my time in 'nam Got a train bound for nowhere, right here on my left arm Showed him a photo of my daughter, said I pray there's more to come These marks on my face from a drunken race when I banged up my first car Faded ink and battle Faded ink and battle scars