I remember the time. I remember the insults. I remember the VFW's and the American Legions acting as thou we were all inferior. Now of course that has all changed. But at the time it was insulting. I remember no one caring what was going on in my mind. I remember hiding in my old bedroom sucking down beers in hopes that I could clear my mind and get on with life. I remember.
I worked thru it all. Have had a good life and a wife of 55 years. Sometimes Vietnam seems like yesterday. Sometimes I am 21 again and recall those times.
It is the past. It's over yet it is a big part of my life. Important to me and no other. So be it!
I hear you. Still working out the lyrics, tempo's, instruments, etc, but, that wife of mine saved me for sure. Rough draft......
What do you think?
(Setting the scene—coming home broken)
(slightly tightened for rhythm/flow)
(verse 1)
Came home on a midnight plane, still hearing the choppers roar,
Ghosts in my duffel bag, couldn't leave 'em at the door.
I was lost in the wreckage, screams I hear still,
Carryin' Nam in my bones, chasin' ghosts up every hill.
Nights I woke up swinging, at shadows on the wall,
Demons whispering lies, said I'd never walk tall.
(Transition Building to her first words)
(The heart of the "junkyard angel")
(soft chorus)
Then I saw my junkyard angel.
Grease on her hands, sun in her hair.
Came out from under that 57 chevy,
like a prayer in the heavy air.
She said "pass me that wrench soldier",
You can help if you just let it go.
And in that busted up row of rust and chrome,
That woman she up'd and saved my soul.
(The redemption hook)
(Her role—the saving)
(verse 2)
She laughed just one time,
Cut right through the noise.
Said you're runnin' from somethin',
Or you're one of those boys.
We talked until dark,
On an old tailgate throne.
Pullin' me close when darkness closes in,
Oh My junkyard angel, where do I begin?
(soft chorus)
Then I saw my junkyard angel.
Grease on her hands, sun in her hair.
Came out from under that 57 chevy,
like a prayer in the heavy air.
She said "pass me that wrench soldier",
You can't help if you can't let go.
And in that busted up row of rust and chrome,
That woman she up and saved my soul.
Bridge (Quiet moment of gratitude, maybe slow the tempo)
(Deepening the story—her persistence-my gradual letting go)
(verse 3)
Three weeks was all it took, from "pass the wrench" to rings on our hands,
Whirlwind courthouse vows, no time for second plans.
She didn't ask for perfect... just wanted me to stay,
Fixed more than that old Chevy—showed me a better way.
Now fifty-four years later, a '57 still gleams in the drive,
Tailfins catch the sunset, remind me I'm alive.
(softer,resolved,maybe a little violin or piano)
(verse 4)
Through kids and storms and miles never planned to roam,
My junkyard angel's right here, callin' this wreck her home.
From Three weeks to forever, fifty-four strong,
From a soldier lost in hell, back to where I belong.
My junkyard angel... yeah, she's still my shining light,
In our '57 life, everything seems right.
(Softer)
(Final Chorus)
So, my junkyard angel... forever you're my light,
In the junkyard of my life, you make everything seem right....
You're still my junkyard angel, through every storm we've seen,
Wings a little bent now, but your halo's shining clean.
You pulled me from the wreckage, yeah, long hair in the light,
My junkyard angel, saving me tonight.
(Yeah, saving me tonight...)
(outro) (almost a whisper)
Still...Sometimes late at night,
When the radio's not clear.
I turn it off and talk to my buddy,
Like he's riding shotgun right here.
The good Lord put this old soldier,
In your soft arms every night.
So, On this downhill side of the mountain,
Somehow the view feels right.
Yeah... somehow this view feels right.
(soft music fade)
