"Just another Christmas song.."

Improvisation around a feeling of wanting to give a reply to the question usually tossed around at those holidays; "How has your Christmas been?" etc, et al, reum a parfáit

Daddy's writing home for Christmas this year
wonder if I'll get a reply
Out here on the western frontier
the postal system works oh not everytime
a lot of letters reach us too late
the guy's already gone to ground



So here I am, trying to say
what I don't have the words to say
Little boy of mine, tell mama to tell you
I love you so, oh..
and if she can afford, a christmas gift
from me



For out here them bullets they are all a'whistling
each of them carries a painted on name
Yesterday I was safe, yesterday I made it fine
none of them bullet's names painted on were mine
that isn't it to say, one won't be come tomorrow
so I'm writing this letter while I can



And if I ain't home for Christmas
tell mama to tell you that's alright
Papa will be home anytime soon
anyday now
Might even be home
for Christmas Eve



Meanwhile I am in there, out on the fields of war
ducking bullets with painted on names
wondering which one has mine painted on
and when I get lucky I get on burial detail
that way I can have the time I need
to say fare thee well
to a few friends who had their names
painted on that day



'cause Daddy might be home for Christmas,
Lord knows I'll try
but if I ain't tell mama to tell you that everything's gonna be fine
there's gonna be nothing I wouldn't do to go home
to go home in time for Christmas
my baby boy, but it isn't possible to always get what you want
but I'll try I'll try I'll try my best to be home
by Christmas, my son



And hey you, little one, tell mama she's loved
and that love can overcome
and tell her this
I hope I'll come home
I hope I'll come home, baby girl,
I'll hope I'll come home, I love you so



see they got this bullet thing here
where they paint names on
and you never know which day they
paint on your name
but I shall try my best
anyway



To be home, to be home, to be home,
to be at home at Christmas Eve
.. by Christmas Eve

Author's Note

There's a song, too. Here's the link. They are, in fact, the same thing anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XFuaxXuhQ4