LYRICS
Jimmy signed his name at seventeen, said he’d beat the system clean
Walked into that office of his own free will
While I stayed home, waiting for my number's call
Figured if they wanted me, they'd have to come and get me still
Mama cried the same tears twice that year
But Jimmy said “Don't worry, Mama, they don’t ship off boys that volunteer”

Now I'm drinking German beer while my brother counts the days
Writing letters I can't send fast enough to chase the fears away
He thought he'd found the answer, I hoped I'd avoid the curse
Funny how the world spins backwards when you think you know it first

They saw these greasy hands could fix what others broke
Sent me to a motor pool with nothing there to fight
Jimmy got a rifle and a one-way ticket to the heat
Where country boys learned to move without the light
I met Kathy at a U.S.O. dance, her English sweet and slow
Jimmy met the monsoon in a place no one should ever know

Now I'm drinking German beer while my brother pays and pays
Writing letters full of nothing that give back what they took away
He thought he'd found the answer, I hoped I'd avoid the curse
Funny how the world spins backwards when you think you know it first

A lifetime has passed since Jimmy made it home
He don't talk about the Delta or the names he used to know
I'm still with Kathy, a blessed life mine by chance
How a coward's hesitation became my lucky dance
We sit on Dad's porch in silence, share a bottle and the view
Two brothers who went to war, only one made it through

He still flinches at the thunder
I still feel the weight of luck I didn't earn
Some choices ain't really choices
Can't cheat fate, can't avoid your turn

Jimmy signed his name at seventeen
I waited for the letter
He was trying to be smart
Neither one knew better

©2025 Joseph Moore

Neither One Knew Better

Three Rivers Revival