Two days past eighteenHe was waitin’ for the bus in his army greensSat down in a booth at a café thereGave his order to the girl with a bow in her hairHe’s a little shy so she gave him a smileAnd he said: Would you mind sittin’ down for a whileAnd talkin’ to me I’m feelin’ a little low She said: I’m off in an hour and I know where we can go

So they went down and they sat on the pierHe said: I bet you got a boyfriend, but I don’t careI’ve got no one to send a letter toWould you mind if I sent one back here to you?

I criedNever gonna hold the hand of another guyToo young for him they told herWaitin’ for the love of the travelin’ soldierOur love will never endWaitin’ for the soldier to come back againNever more to be aloneWhen the letter says a soldier’s coming home

So the letters cameFrom an army campIn California then VietnamAnd he told his heartIt might be loveAnd all of the things he was so scared ofSaid when it’s gettin kinda tough over hereI think about that day sittin’ down at the pierAnd close my eyes and see your pretty smileDon’t worry but I won’t be able to write for a while

I criedNever gonna hold the hand of another guyToo young for him they told herWaitin’ for the love of the travelin’ soldierOur love will never endWaitin’ for the soldier to come back againNever more to be aloneWhen the letter says a soldier’s coming home

One Friday night at a football gameThe lord’s prayer said and the anthem sangA man said folks would you bow your headsFor the list of local Vietnam deadCryin’ all alone under the standsWas the piccolo player in the marching bandAnd one name read and nobody really caredBut a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair

I criedNever gonna hold the hand of another guyToo young for him they told herWaitin’ for the love of the travelin’ soldierOur love will never endWaitin’ for the soldier to come back againNever more to be aloneWhen the letter says a soldier’s coming home