Johnny Joined Up
by Cap Wilhelm-Safian

Johnny joined up yesterday,
He saw the ad at the liquor store.
He was looking for a place to stay,
He couldn’t sleep in the streets no more.

The promise of a full day’s wage,
And people to talk to like before,

A warm bed and three meals a day,
Now tell me, who could ask for more?

He is never alone.
He is never afraid.
He’s learned the cadence of a killer’s heart.
He is marching in this parade.

Billy said the pledge in school,
Back at P.S. 63.
He heard the speech from the recruiter,
At the school assembly.

His father was a Navy man.
He gave his life in the service of his country.
He says, “If it’s good enough for my dear Papa,
Well, then it’s good enough for me”.

He is now a man.
Worthy of the uniform,
He does his job, and he knows his place.
He is a trooper in this storm.