50,000 Names

There's teddy bears and high school rings
And old photographs that mamas bring
Of daddies with their young boys playin' ball
There's combat boots he used to wear
When he was sent over there
And there's 50,000 names carved in the wall

There's cigarettes and cans of beer
And notes that say, "I miss you dear"
And children who don't say anything at all
There's purple hearts and packs of gum
Fatherless daughters and fatherless sons
And there's 50,000 names carved in the wall

They come from all across this land
In pickup trucks and mini vans
Searchin' for a boy from long ago
They scan the wall and find his name
The teardrops fall like pourin' rain
Then silently they leave a gift and go

There's stars of David and rosary beads
And crucifixion figurines
And flowers of all colors large and small
There's a boy scout badge and a merit pin
Little American flags wavin' in the wind
And there's 50,000 names carved in the wall

50,000 names carved in the wall