The warship had landed and night come ashore The fighting was over for me ever more For I had been wounded they left me forget 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 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 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 I shall see for missing in action forever I'll be