It's the same old town, the dear old town
You saw in your dreams "out there",
Filled with precious stay-at-homes
Whose very breath was a prayer!
It's the same big town, the hustling town
That you told your pal about
When the post bag brought those messages
You couldn't have lived without!
We have not changed while you were away,
Our hearts are as true as steel
And this is the fact we are driving home,
The way we want you to feel.
We are trying to tell you in acts and words,
Oh men who have dined with Death!
But ours is the gratitude where tears
Well up and obstruct the breath!
Gratitude that you placed your souls
For our sake upon the rack;
But we're human enough to care still more
That the dear God brought you back!
So take it all in the spirit given—
Remember, we suffered too—
While the old town we both so love
Holds out its arms to you!