Story Behind The Song

I was on a plane heading for Las Vegas when the towers fell. I remember driving home from Cincinnati to Rochester, MN, feeling angry and hurt. The song was written the following day.

Song Description

This is a song about an aging Korean War veteran who watches the Twin Towers fall and decides he needs to re-enlist.

Lyrics

A FEW GOOD MEN
(J. Swertfeger - 9/30/01)

[CHORUS]
I heard you needed a few good men.
Who can follow a few good men.
Semper Fi ?til the very end.
I heard you needed a few good men.

[VERSE 1]
To his closet he walked so deliberately.
Not quite as fast as he was back in ?53.
The ?Stars and Bars? were tarnished
He would make them shine.
He pressed his pants until the crease was in a line.

[VERSE 2]
Recruiter stood there as he saw him through the glass.
A tired hero from a war that had long since past.
?Purple Heart and a Silver Star were on his chest.
What he said next made the younger man take a breath.

[CHORUS]
I heard you needed a few good men.
Who can follow a few good men.
Semper Fi ?til the very end.
I heard you needed a few good men.
[VERSE 3]
I?ve done my share of fightin?, I?ve seen the world in pain.
At times like this I can?t help wonder, ?Was it all in vain??
The nameless faces of the ones who never made it back.
Just so some young punk oculd burn the flag or stuff like that.

[VERSE 4]
I just can?t wait at home until the war comes down my street.
I might be old but I?ve got arms and legs that won?t retreat.
For I can raise the flag, or answer phones or guard the door.
I?d be the first to storm the beaches of a foreign shore.

[CHORUS]
I heard you needed a few good men.
Who can follow a few good men.
Semper Fi ?til the very end.
I heard you needed a few good men.

[SOLO]

[CHORUS]