He said, "mama I know you have a lot of plans for me

College in the fall

Hey I'm almost eighteen

I've been doing lots of thinking about a lot of stuff

Went down to the recruiter today and I signed up."



If not there, then where?

If not now, then when?

If not this, then what else can I defend?

Being gone and being scared,

What else can I do?

If not me mama,

If not me then who?



He's upstairs shaving

His cloth is starched and pressed

I'm down here praying, my mind is a mess

I ask, "where he got, these crazy ideas anyway?"

He just smiles and says, "It's the way that I was raised"



If not there, then where?

If not now, then when?

If not this, then what else can I defend?

Being gone and being scared,

What else can I do?

If not me daddy,

If not me then who?



We wait for his letters, emails and satellite calls

Then the politics,

Thats number 84 wide receiver for the Wildscats

Who's pictures is hangning in my home next to the soldier

Standing proud and tall



He said, "If not there, then where?

If not now, then when?

If not this, then what else can I defend?

Being gone and being scared

What else can I do?

If not me dear God,

If not me then who?"