The warship had landed and night come ashore The fighting was over for me ever more
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 did open and there on the stand I saw a picture of her and the 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 she'd be happy if she never learned 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 I shall see For missing in action forever I'll be
