One of the most powerful "new" songs about the Vietnam debacle--

THERE'S A WALL IN WASHINGTON
by Iris DeMent (copyright 1996 Songs of Iris)
As recorded by Iris DeMent on "The Way I Should" (1996)

There's a wall in Washington
And it's made of cold black granite
They say sixty thousand names are etched there in it
In that wall in Washington

A father, he traveled from far away
To walk the path till he finds that name
He reaches his hand up and traces each letter
The tears they fall as his memories gather
For the boy who filled his heart with pride
Is now but a name that's been etched in the side
Of this wall in Washington.

There's a wall in Washington

A mother, she traveled from far away
To walk the path till she finds that name
She reaches her hand up and traces each letter
The tears they fall as her memories gather
She feels the baby at her breast
But her heart it breaks because all that is left
Is this wall in Washington.

There's a wall in Washington

A boy, he traveled from far away
To walk the path till he finds that name
He reaches his hand up and traces each letter
He stares at the name of his unknown father
His heart is young and it's filled with pain
In anger he cries out "Who is to blame
For this wall in Washington
That's made of cold black granite
Why is my father's name etched here in it,
In this wall in Washington?"

There's a wall in Washington
There's a wall in Washington.

rich r