Hero of the War

He's a hero of the war All the neighborhood is talkin' 'bout your son Mrs. Reiley get his medals Hand them 'round to everyone Show his gun to all the children in the street It's too bad he can't shake hands or move his feet He's a hero of the war You can see his picture in the local news Mrs. Reiley seems the girl next door is nowhere to be found Once you couldn't keep that boy from hangin' 'round Never mind dear, you're with your mum once more He's a hero of the war Like his dad he gave his life the war before It was tragic how you almost died of pain when he was born With no husband there beside you through it all Ring the bell if you get hungry or you fall You're a hero of the war Why those teardrops on your cheek? it's so absurd Feelin' empty it's the emptiness of heroes like your son And what made him leave his mother for a gun Driven forward driven back and nothing more He's a hero of the war