The warship had landed and night come ashore

The fighting was over for me ever more

For I had been wounded they left me forget

A stone for my pillow and snow for my bed

The enemy found me and took me away and made me a prisoner of war so they say

But God in his mercy was with me one day the gate was left open and I ran away

I returned to the old home my sweet wife to see

The home I had built for my darling and me

The door I then opened and there on the stand I saw a picture of her and the man

The clothes she was wearing told me the sad tale

My darling was wearing a new bridal veil

Then I found a letter and these words I read missing in action she thought I was dead

[ steel ]

So I kissed her picture and whispered goodbye

My poor heart was breaking but my eyes were dry

I knew it was too late for her now to learn

I knew she must never know I had returned

A vagabond dreamer forever I'll roam

Because there was no one to welcome me home

The face of my darling no more I shall see for missing in action forever I'll be