Missing In Action

Performed by Ken Marvin
Recorded December 1951
Written by Helen Kays & Arthur Q. Smith

The warship had landed and I'd come 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 our home, my sweet wife to see
The home I had built for my family 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 breakin' 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

[lyrics transcribed by listening. Send corrections via the contact link on the main page]