Story Behind The Song

I saw an interview with John McCain where they showed him footage of him crashing onto the deck of a carrier. He was pulled to safety by a deckhand right before his plane exploded. It was his reaction to seeing this footage of his own near death that gave birth to this song.

Song Description

This song speaks of the change that war has on each individual that has to go. It says that it doesn't matter whether you participate by choice or whether you agree with the cause, just that once you've been there...you'll never be the same.

Lyrics

Verse 1
Three little metals, that seem so small,
Still pinned to an army green jacket, in a sea of mothballs.
A few faded pictures, one with his friend,
They're just barely alive behind enemy lines,
But only he made it home again.

Chorus
What old soldiers know, they never can tell.
Words can't explain the feelings that found them, in the middle of hell.
Coming home can make 'em happy; coming home can bring the pain.
One thing old soldiers know...
They'll never be the same.

Verse2
Little boys play army, they can't win or lose,
It's all for the glory found just before supper,
Like being first to choose.
Remember childhood glory, then remember you Dad,
He was proud to serve, those were his words,
But they still made him sad.

Chorus:
What old soldiers know, they never can tell.
Words can't explain the feelings that found them, in the middle of hell.
Coming home can make 'em happy; coming home can bring the pain.
One thing old soldiers know...
They'll never be the same.

Bridge:
One freezes to death, one passes a law,
One holds up a sign, "I need a dollar, that's all."
One testifies, and swears it's the truth,
One holds his child, and just stands mute.

Chorus:
What old soldiers know, they never can tell.
Words can't explain the feelings that found them, in the middle of hell.
Coming home can make 'em happy; coming home can bring the pain.
One thing old soldiers know
They'll never be the same, never be the same, never be the same...