The Last War Born

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Your coat is still hanging by the kitchen door One sleeve turned inside out like before The kettle clicks, then the room goes still A folded photograph rests on the windowsill [Pre-Chorus] They said the distance made a hero But no one tells me what that means When your name is carved in marble And your mother wakes from dreams [Chorus] Who sings for the hands that never came home? Who counts all the chairs left empty and cold? A medal can shine, but it cannot explain Why the wheat grew red beside the train If victory needs children to mourn Then let this be the last war born [Verse 2] A letter arrived with the corner torn Your youngest had just been born She learned to walk on the living-room floor And asked why your picture faces the door [Pre-Chorus] The marching band plays on Sunday Brass rising over the square But beneath every polished uniform There is somebody missing there [Chorus] Who sings for the hands that never came home? Who counts all the chairs left empty and cold? A medal can shine, but it cannot explain Why the wheat grew red beside the train If victory needs children to mourn Then let this be the last war born [Bridge] Lay down the flags beside the river Let the names be spoken slow No border is worth a brother No anthem makes the widows whole And if the guns begin to thunder Let our voices answer first Not with glory, not with hunger But with the simple word: enough [Final Chorus] Who sings for the hands that never came home? Who counts all the chairs left empty and cold? The medals go dark, the banners decay But a child still remembers the sound of your name If victory needs children to mourn Let this be the last war born Let this be the last war born [Outro] Your coat is still hanging by the kitchen door I leave it there, but I pray for no more