Peter From Picayune

Peter was from Picayune
South Mississippi, due north of New Orleans
Son of a welder, good at putting things together
Gonna get a tech school degree

Wasn't money in his wallet
So he couldn't go to college
So he signed up for the Marines
Ship 'em overseas

Well, he landed in Kuwait
Was a little too late to go back and change his mind
Wrote a promise in a letter to a girl back home
Said, Everything'll be just fine

Well, the call was made, to march the way
To take it to em on the front line time to shine

That boy bleeds the stars and stripes
That boy's willing to give his life
That boy fights for you agree or disagree
That boy wouldn't want a welcome home parade
Wouldn't wanna talk about it anyway
He's seen some shit no one should ever see
Yeah, he's twice the man that most will ever be
Well, it's never good timing when the bullets start flying
In a hell of a firefight now
Kept giving 'em hell and we kept pushing forward
But the medic said another man down
Took a round to the chest, fighting for breath
Hey brother, lemme get you out, 'cause

That boy bleeds the stars and stripes
That boy's willing to give his life
That boy fights for you agree or disagree
That boy wouldn't want a welcome home parade
Wouldn't wanna talk about it anyway
He's seen some shit no one should ever see
Yeah, he's twice the man that most will ever be

Well, it starts sinking in that this could be the end
So he sends a Hail Mary prayer
Make sure you watch over mama
And you make sure Daddy knows
That I didn't go out scared
Don't need a folded-up flag or 21 guns
Just a simple headstone that reads

Here lies Peter from Picayune
South Mississippi, due north of New Orleans