A Combat Vet Came Home

A combat vet came home from the war in Vietnam Had a big old bone to pick with his buddy, Uncle Sam Grew his crew cut down his back and started smoking dope Making peace the Jesus Way became his only hope Nixon was the President, he served up Watergate His menu was deplorable, the world got filled with hate Marched his boots to Washington, said this war's gotta end That's when they bombed Cambodia, Kent State became the trend That's when they bombed Cambodia, Kent State became the trend Why, O Lord, has it gotta be this way If I could a peaceful place, that's where I would stay Looked down South to Mexico, lots of trouble there Looked up North to Canada, good vibes in the air Grabbed his woman by the hand, told her don't look back Drove up to the border in his beat up Pontiac West into the sunset, on through the starry night Peering into the darkness for those booming northern lights Passed through the Laurentians, and on to Winnipeg Only stopping once or twice to stretch their kinked up legs Across the wind-swept prairie, on through Medicine Hat Stampeded through Calgary and up to Kicking-Horse Pass Stampeded through Calgary up to Kicking-Horse Pass Well, O Lord, here we are Way up in the Great White North It snows every month of the year up here Why did you bring us forth Car broke down near old Banff-town, so that's where they did stay Living in the wilderness, growing stronger every day Working with the native folk and building up a church Making friends the Jesus Way and mending all their hurts Started making babies, a family for to grow Before too long they were six strong and ready to head back home Why, O Lord, has it gotta be this way I wish that we could stay But homes the place that we ought to be Back in the USA No, it isn't perfect there But that's where our families are Brothers sisters, grandparents Cousins by the score So, back they went to the place they left The place they once called home And that's where they stayed for the rest of their days Never more to roam Rolled up their sleeves and went to work making America great Building up the church and community before it was too late Making peace the Jesus Way in their neighborhood Doing their best to put hate to rest, doing all the good they could Doing their best to put hate to rest, doing all the good they could Why, O Lord, did it have to be this way We thought Canada was a great place to stay But You turned us around and you sent us back home To the place that we came from Combat vet came home From the war he fought within With a big old family and a lot of new friends And a soul which God did mend With a big old family and a lot of new friends And a place which God did mend