there s teddy bears and high school rings and old photographs that mama s bring of daddy s with their young boys playin ball there s combat boots he used to wear when he was sent over there and there s 50 000 names carved in the wall there s cigarettes and cans of beer and notes that say i miss you dear and children who don t say anything at all there s purple hearts and packs of gum fatherless daughters and fatherless sons there s 50 000 names carved in the wall they come from all across this land in pickup trucks and minivans searchin for a boy from long ago they scan the wall and find his name teardrops fall like pourin rain then silently they leave a gift and go there s stars of david and rosary beads and crucifixion figurines and flowers of all kinds large and small there s a boy scout badge and a merit pin little american flags wavin in the wind there s 50 000 names carved in the wall there s 50 000 names carved in the wall