"Missing In Action" lyrics

The warships had landed and I came ashore
The fighting was over for me evermore
For I had been wounded they left me for dead
A stone for my pillow and snow for my bed

The enemy found me and took me away
And made me a prisoner of war so they say
But god in his mercy was with me one day
The gate was left open and I ran away

I returned to the old home my sweet wife to see
The home I had built for my darling and me
The door I then opened and there on a stand
I saw a picture of her and a man

The clothes she was wearing told me the sad tale
My darling was wearing a new bridal veil
Then I found a letter and these words I read
Missing in action she thought I was dead

So I kissed her picture and whispered goodbye
My poor heart was breaking but my eyes were dry
I knew it was too late for her now to learn
I knew she must never know I had returned

A vagabond dreamer forever I'll roam
Because there was no one to welcome me home
The face of my darling no more will I see
For missing in action forever I'll be