Rat-a-tat…..

Rat-a-tat, tat, tat Rat-a-tat, tat, tat,
is the lonely sound of a small worn drum.
The sound is recognizable all around the world,
if you listen close, even you, will begin to hum.

Rat-a-tat, tat, tat Rat-a-tat, tat, tat,
one solitary beat, heard too many times before.
Solemnity to the soul, engrained in us forever,
melodic tune, with no smiles, on any foreign shore.

Rat-a-tat, tat, tat Rat-a-tat, tat, tat,
walking along, row by row, a sea of crosses white.
Many names, many lives lost before their time,
when will mankind learn, this is not our plight.

Rat-a-tat, tat, tat Rat-a-tat, tat, tat,
wiping off old dirt, wet sand, dried tears.
What would they have been, if given a chance,
we will never know, with them went their fears.

Rat-a-tat, tat, tat Rat-a-tat, tat, tat,
those who are long gone, their memories survive.
Families mourn, holding on to what they have,
teddy bears, folded flags, anything left alive.

Rat-a-tat, tat, tat Rat-a-tat, tat, tat,
children carry photographs, moms a broken heart.
Dads internalize tears, hold on to pride of service,
keeping what is left of family from falling apart.

Rat-a-tat, tat, tat Rat-a-tat, tat, tat,
many years, many tears when is enough, enough.
As a nation we fought hard, now grow very weary,
time is growing shorter, life is getting rough.

Rat-a-tat, tat, tat Rat-a-tat, tat, tat,
when all is done, from out the haze.
Smoke begins to clear, silence is all you hear,
but for the sound one solitary bugle plays.
“Day is done…..Gone the sun…..
From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky…..
All is well…..Safely rest…..
God is nigh…..”
Rat-a-tat, tat, tat Rat-a-tat, tat, tat,
is the lonely sound of a small worn drum.
The sound is recognizable all around the world,
if you listen close, even you, will begin to hum.

Rat-a-tat, tat, tat Rat-a-tat, tat, tat,
one solitary beat, heard too many times before.
Solemnity to the soul, engrained in us forever,
melodic tune, with no smiles, on any foreign shore.

Written by:
Karen Palumbo
3/5/2008 (c) All Rights Reserved