[Verse 1]
They're sendin' the old man home
Back where the buffalo roam
Out in the Pacific, they say he was the best
Now he's in his civies, headin' home like all the rest

[Verse 2]
He'll never forget Rosalee
Or sleepless nights he fought upon the sea
He'll only have the memories or great books by James Jones
'Cause they're sendin' the old man home

[Bridge]
Far away, far away
Another life so very far away

[Verse 3]
They'll tear down the officers clubs
And write off the overdue subs
So let's drink to their memories, our heroes and our pals
To those crazy Navy flyers, to those swell Hawaiian gals

[Verse 4]
The sailors will dance in the street
Then they'll mothball the whole damn fleet
We'll only have the picture books of land and sea and foam
'Cause they're sendin' the old man home

[Outro]
He'll only have his memories or great books by James Jones
'Cause they're sendin' the old man home