Wild Irish Rose

They sent him to Asia to fight in a war

He came back home crazy and asking, "What for?"

They had him committed oh, medals and all

To a mental hospital with rubber walls

They cut off the funding oh, they cut off the lights

He hit the street runnin' that cold winter night

Now the streets are the only place he can call home

He seems oh so lonely, but he's never alone

He lies there holding his Wild Irish Rose

This crazy old fool in the smelly old clothes

He could have had something much better, God knows

Than a half-empty bottle of Wild Irish Rose

A baby named Scarlet with laughing blue eyes

Has been in his wallet, ah way back since '65

So much was forgotten, oh so far back in time

Way down in the bottom of a river of wine

You know, they found him at Clark street, West 25th

They can't even find a heartbeat Lord, his fingers are stiff

Just like they're all frozen, he's holding her tight

But the habit oh, it's broken, this is Roses' last night

He lies there holding his Wild Irish Rose

But his soul's in a place where a real hero goes

Now he's got something better much better, God knows

Than a half-empty bottle of Wild Irish Rose