Oh to the have the songwriting chops of one of my favorite American folk singer-songwriters, John Gorka.  And seeing as how it’s Veterans Day today, I thought I’d share one of my favorite’s:

 

Let Them In by John Gorka on The Company You Keep

Let them in, Peter,
They are very tired
Give them couches where the angels sleep
And light those fires

Let them wake whole again
To brand new dawns
Fired with the sun
Not wartime’s bloody guns

May their peace be deep
Remember where the broken bodies lie
God knows how young they were
To have to die
God knows how young they were to have to die

Give them things they like
Let them make some noise
Give roadhouse bands, not golden harps
To these our boys

And let them love, Peter
‘Cause they’ve had no time
They should have trees and bird songs
And hills to climb

The taste of summer in a ripened pear
And girls sweet as meadow winds
With flowing hair

Tell them how they are missed
And say not to fear
It’s gonna be alright
With us down here

Let them in, Peter…

That’s the good stuff.  You can explore more of this talented writer here.