I’ve made changes to this poem and here is the updated version.
The good lord surely must know
I’m not a perfect man.
But I hope that he will understand
That even if I stray everyday
I’m doing the best that I can.
Way down in the freight yard
I hear a train call out my name.
If I answer the call
who will be the one to blame?
That old rusty engine is almost ready,
Can you hear that lonely whistle blow?
Last night you said you still want me,
so darling, for now I won’t go.
But one day, I will fly far away
like the wild geese.
I work graveyard shift in the coal mines,
just to make ends meet,
to put food on our table,
and shoes on our children’s feet.
This morning the shift boss told me
there will be layoffs soon,
and I’ll be the first to go.
Down in the harbor
I hear a ship calling out my name.
If I answer the call,
who will I be the one to blame?
I watch the rushing tide rising
Hear the soft south wind blow.
Last night you said you still love me
so for now, darling I won’t go.
But one day, I’ll fly far away
like the wild geese.
When I was downtown this morning
folks were talking about another war.
But nobody seems to know
what we’ll be fighting for.
I walked by a recruiting station,
heard Uncle Sam call out my name.
If I don’t answer his summons
I’ll be the only one to blame
The drummer is beating the war drums.
Can you hear the bugle blow?
Well darling, I don’t want to leave you.
but this time I really have to go.
I’ll do my duty as a soldier,
fight to keep my country free.
If I should die in a far of land,
please don’t cry for me.
Just remember how I told you
that one day I’d fly far away
like the wild geese.
That one day I’d fly far away
like the wild geese.
Keeper of the Sword 