long way back home

from the railhead to the boatyard

from the factory to the farm

from the mines to the millhouse

i've weathered the storm

from the bar room to the bedpost

i've wasted my days

all i have is my drink

and the time left to think

while time slips away

just look at my face

as you tell me goodbye

you'll see what i'm after

by the look in my eye

just walk away

and leave me alone

it's a long way back home

now in case you should ask me

what it is that i've done

well i say i'm a soldier

who once had a son

but my son doesn't know me

that's his right to choose

oh say can you see

my best friend is me

i'm a friend i could use

just look at my face

as you tell me goodbye

you'll see what i'm after

by the look in my eye

just walk away

and leave me alone

it's a long way back home

now the pages have faded

the story grows cold

and the plot falls to ashes

like the ruins of old

those rats in my rafters

they're after my shoes

and anything else

they can find on the shelf

i've said they could use

just look at my face

as you tell me goodbye

you'll see what i'm after

by the look in my eye

just walk away

and leave me alone

it's a long way back home

it's a long way back home