As I got back home, I bequeathed unto ma
My plans, and in her eyes I saw
A melancholy pride, as the tears swelled in her eyes
And butterflies fluttered in her craw

Mother, I'm going to be a soldier!
And hereafter, life's going to be just swell
And after I return, in school I shall learn
How to lift us from this squalid life of Hell

When I told Delilah, she broke down in tears
After us being together for all these years
We have fallen quite in love
But I knew the skies above
Would be clearer, so we married without fear

Delilah, your man's going to be a soldier!
And hereafter, life's going to be just fine
And after I return, we'll build our happy home
And live together in pleasure all the time

The day I left that old southwestern town
I looked into the somber faces all around
I saw family and friends
My old ma and my girlfriend
Praying that I'd come home safe and sound

Don't you worry, I'm going to be a soldier
And hereafter, life's going to be alright
So I hopped up on that train
With my bags and my wedding ring
And we rolled away from everybody's sight