Jeff Thomson The 23 Back in ‘68 The Twenty-Three A Mothers Love John Wayne Hero Musicians Jeff Thomson: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar (“A Mother’s Love” and “Hero”), Percussion, Harmonica, and Drum Programing. Amy Ellsworth: Vocals: “Back in ‘68” and “John Wayne” John Mogen: Piano William Prines: B3 Organ. Jerry Turner: Lead Guitar. Graphic Art & Design by Geoffrey Hartg at Inflight Productions. Omaha, NE All songs written and recorded at Big Marie by Jeff Thomson Back in ’68 mixed by Matt Mysko at Abbey Road Studios, London All songs mastered by Geoff Pesche at Abbey Road Studios, London Produced by Jeff Thomson Back in ‘68 Mothers and fathers, townsfolk, and marching bands send the boys off to glory in a faraway land. Ignorance is bliss for a while… In ’68 the grass was green in the little town that we called home Against all odds we found our summer jobs and listened to the Beatles and Stones With the top pulled down we drove around just laughing and feelin’ great Didn’t have a care, we were unaware, that youth held a cruel, cruel fate Back in ‘68 College dreams meant no war machines but hicks like us were meant to fight We knew just when but there was time till then for girls, beer, and late, late nights To act like boys…to make a little noise but Uncle Sam had a different plan There were never enough and he was in a rush to send us off to Viet Nam But the war just wouldn’t wait Back in ‘68 The Twenty-Three He is sent off full of pride and patriotism. The boy soon returns home a very different man…. 37 young men they left so strong, so sure, so whole Townsfolk came and they cheered their best sent them off to a place unknown Well the mothers all cried the fathers all lied said you’ll be ok son you’ll see But when the bus came back 14 souls it lacked Nothing but pain… for the 23 When looking for a job is the job you have people start to look away With a stool at the bar and a rusted-out car just looking for a reason to stay Your girlfriend left with some guy she’d met when you lost your leg just below the knee People say count your blessings, 14 boys resting Nothing but life and luck… for the 23 Midnight pacing…memories that you think Hellhounds chasing…life’s gone in just a blink A Mother’s Love The old woman had helped wounded soldiers recover in one war only to be informed that her son had died in another… A mother’s love is all that’s left When she sees her son laid to rest Heartache it’s hard to breath This is something no mother should see But war only lives when it bleeds Tears they fall as the neighbors come To pay respect but you just want to run Too much talking God won’t they leave To curse the heavens is what I need But war only lives when it bleeds A hate filled heart is all that’s left As the quiet nights bring no rest A Laughing boy is just a dream it seems Old photos haunt with the pain they bring And war only lives when it bleeds And war only lives when it bleeds John Wayne The little boy grew-up alone with only stories of a father… Little boy grew-up all alone He never knew his dad…he never made it home No tears when enough was enough. He learned from the start how to take a good punch John Wayne was a man with a cigarette lit and a gun in his hand He never took the time to understand the why’s, and what’s, and how’s A little war doesn’t give you no time To scurry in a hurry or to change your mind Just listen to the words that your poor pa cried “It’s better to fight than it is to hide” (he died) John Wayne was a man with a cigarette lit and a gun in his hand He never took the time to understand the why’s, and what’s, and how’s Hero She played the part of mom and wife… My Grandma was a hero she began to tell the class It happened in a war somewhere (some boys began to laugh) She never held a gun or rank and never took a stand. She played the part of mom and wife to a dying man. He came in on a Christmas Eve crying for his home. They knew he’d never make the night but needn’t die alone To Grandma he confessed his sins in pain with trembling hands She played the part of mom and wife to a dying man Radio played Silent Night, the rain began to fall. He raised his head up one last time. She thought she heard him call. Don’t leave me like I’m leaving you. I hope you understand. She played the part of mom and wife to that dying man. She played the part of mom and wife to that dying man.