Story Behind The Song

I attended the funeral's of 5 military personel, my observations resulted in this song.

Song Description

The story of a soldier's funeral aftermath in the basement of the church

Lyrics

THIS MOTHER'S SON

The rifle fire had ended, the bugler gone still
A quiet group of people
start walking from the hill
Then once again they gather in the local Church of Christ
To share in cake and coffee
and stories of a soldier's life

A woman in her forties
stands up and looks around
Each stops what their doing
no one makes a sound
She began to speak so softly you could barely hear a word
Raised her voice and started over to be sure that she was heard

My son had a name he honored with his life
He gave it to his children, he gave it to his wife
Now he's on a list of those who fell
I know he's not the only one
Just the only one I had
He was this mother's son

She paused, took a deep breath and went on

He'll be a picture and a paragraph in the paper on page three
A mention on the evening news he was more than that to me
Today he lies beside the others, the young who fight the old men's wars
Tomorrow just a number, another cross among the scores

My son answered with his life when he heard his country call
They say someday his name will be added to the wall
An honor given those who fell, I know he'e not the only one
Just the only one I had
He was this mother's son

The scream within her quiets, the tears will finally come
He wasn't just a number, he was this mother's son

Copyright Rae Welch 2009