Ole Doc lyrics

A green troop full of rage

Impetuous, on the edge

Fled a violent world before

Searching for a difference

But old habit, old ways

Taught in filial lessons

Where anger and resentment

Reside even until departing

An uneasy and unwrapped end

Tentacles of guilt still on

Playing games without regard

Their last effort for control

An adult from abuse is doomed

In war the violence awakening

Behaviors that were well known

Others suffered for them

But age and experience drew

The world's scenes of men

A place that often is unfair

Where grief walks as a shadow

The disregard falls away

Atonement is in this order

To bring amends of a sort

Transgressions unchangeable

The right(eous) hand of the good

The left (sinister) hand of evil

Sharing the soul militant

Conflicts with compassion

Then walks in Doc, protector

Aid without reservation

Life's preservation

Bringing order in chaos

Too many battles fought

So many years rushed by

A torn spirit still serves

With the time to understand

They were close compatriots

Young and dumb, and such

Then young sons and daughters

Finally as grand-ones, anon

Bestowed a noble title

Amongst them in respect

For caring without reservation

Often nameless, the ole Doc

Those of extreme pain

Usually never know who

Brought longevity to them

In the worst of times

No measure of merit

Or badge of honour brought

Could compare to a letter

Sent by a survivor long gone

Those who fall in a fight

Do not fear being lost

With the duty of a parent

We come no matter what

Shot in route to their end

We must not abandon them

No time to be a patient

Nor 'S' upon our chest

Self-treated wounds there

Morphine to numb the pain

Bandaged, and treating on

Their care supersedes self

No medals, no moments

To give regard for injury

It is a tradeoff unknown

Unregarded by purpose

Now there are only scars

A part of mortal bounds

Ghastly encounters still

Visiting e'er erratically

Today aches and pains

They are badges of honour

Reminders of others

Their memory living on

So many lives shared

Sometimes wondering still

Of their fates found afar

After this tattered ole Doc

The years have passed

Unmitigated by time's tenure

Where grey overtakes

And life's ambitions give way

Now all but a single desire

To have done some good

No importance for fame

For kindness is true fortune

Benevolence in word and act

Can save a life, give hope

Outlasting self indulgence

Far outliving a selfish name

Imposing on mortality's strains

The antics of ole Doc