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        SOLDIERS LAST LETTER
          by Merle Haggard

I'm writing this down in a trench mon
Don't scold if it isn't so neat
The way that you did, when I was a kid
When I'd come home with mud on my feet

The captain just gave us our orders
And mom we must carry them through
I'll finish this letter the first chance I get
But for now I'll just say I love you

Then the mothers old hands began to tremble
And she fought back the tears in her eyes
But they came unashamed,for there was no blame
And she knew that her soldier had died

Then the mother knelt down by her bedside
And she prayed Lord above hear my plea
Please protect all the boys who are fighting tonight