Dear John

(Verse- male vocal)

He counted down the days on a plywood wall,

Crossed off another one with a black ink mark.

Tucked her picture inside his vest,

Said, “One more tour, then I’ll be home to rest.”

Every night he’d read her words again,

Holding onto hope through the desert wind.

(Pre chorus)

Then the mail came in like any other day,

Just another envelope with his name.

He smiled when they handed him that worn white page,

Never thought those words would change everything.

He took one breath, then broke the seal,

And watched his whole world disappear.

(Chorus-female vocals)

Dear John, I’m sorry but I can’t take this anymore,

I never know if you’re gonna come home from the war.

I’m tired of waiting by the telephone,

Praying every night that you’ll make it home.

I’ll always love you, but I have to let you go…

So please don’t hate me for the tears i’ve never shown.

So goodbye my love, I wish you well,

I just have to get out of this hell.

So goodbye my dear John.

(Verse-male vocal)

He folded up the letter with a trembling hand,

Like somehow it would change if he’d read it again.

He slipped the letter back inside its faded sleeve,

Like holding on was easier than trying to leave.

Then the radio crackled, “Move out in five.”

So he grabbed his gear and pushed it all aside.

(Pre-Chorus)

He wiped his eyes and grabbed his gun,

Another mission had begun.

No time to think, no time to cry,

Just boots on dirt beneath the sky.

(Chorus- female vocals)

Dear John, I’m sorry but I can’t take this anymore,

I never know if you’re gonna come home from the war.

I’m tired of waiting by the telephone,

Praying every night that you’ll make it home.

I’ll always love you, but I have to let you go…

So please don’t hate me for the tears i’ve never shown.

So goodbye my love, I wish you well,

I just have to get out of this hell.

So goodbye my dear John.

(Guitar solo)

(Bridge-male vocals)

One last firefight beneath the sun,

One last breath before it was done.

The letter rested over his heart,

Just like it had from the very start.

The words that broke him stayed with him still…

Until the battlefield fell quiet and still.

(Chorus-female vocals)

Dear John, I’m sorry but I can’t take this anymore,

I never know if you’re gonna come home from the war.

I’m tired of waiting by the telephone,

Praying every night that you’ll make it home.

I’ll always love you, but I have to let you go…

So please don’t hate me for the tears i’ve never shown.

So goodbye my love, I wish you well,

I just have to get out of this hell.

So goodbye my dear John.