Story Behind The Song

Jim was like a brother to me. He had a chance to play pro baseball, but joined the Army & went to Vietnam. He was MIA for about a year. Everyone thought he was dead, but he returned, a much different guy. He left in the mid 80's (very troubled) and was not heard from for 15 years. After Unsolved Mysteries did a show on him he resurfaced.

Song Description

About a young guy who fought in Vietnam and how that war changed him forever.

Lyrics

He Won't Be Coming Home

In the spring of '67, He knocked on my folks door
He just had gotten notice, And was headed off to war
His dreams and his plans Forever postponed
I couldn't help but think He won't be coming home

He traded in the diamond, For a green beret
The field of dreams he longed for, Now would have to wait
He hugged me and he swore One day very soon
He'd join the boys of summer On a Sunday afternoon

He was like an older brother, By example he taught
He believed in his country, And with honor he fought
Then one day his father called, And cried through the phone
Jim was MIA He won't be coming home
Interlude

One day my prayers were answered With a knock at my door
It had been nearly four years, There he stood back from war
His deep blue eye's were dull, And his bright smile had gone dim
The war had killed the spirit, In my friend Jim

TRANSITION/ BRIDGE

Painful silence at the wall raged like thunder in his mind
Imprisoned by the memories from a war, he could not leave behind

It was fall of '87, When I last saw my friend
He stopped by and we talked about, What might have been
He told me as he left, He needed time alone
I knew in my heart that He won?t be coming home

So Jim if you can hear this, They're those you left behind
Your fathers getting old now, And he's running out of time
I spoke with him one night, He cried through the phone
He said you never call, And you won't be coming home

Lord watch over Jim, He won't be coming home

Copyright 1999 Scott O. Miller All Rights Reserved Dedicated to JW, Special Forces