It's not hard to reach back to the day
underneath an Iowa sun.
Running to the tower of Waterloo, looking
For the Sullivan train to come.
His five boys would run to the top and
Salute him as he went by.
First we'd wave hello
Then we'd wave goodbye.

It's not hard to reach back to the days
After the attack on Pearl.
Overnight my buddies turned into men, running
Out of time for games and girls.
The Sullivan boys were not overlooked
Uncle Sam calling each by name.
The very next day they left on a mystery
Train.

Say goodbye, Mrs. Sullivan
Don't you cry.
"We regret to inform you
the Navy is taking your sons away."
All five.
So put you blue star in the window.

It's not hard to reach back to her smile,
When she received their letter.
The letters, they sounded generally the
Same it said: "they couldn't
Come home, at least they were together on a
Mighty fighting battleship,
Somewhere in the South Pacific."
The letters never got much more specific.

Say goodbye, Mrs. Sullivan
And don't you cry.
"we regret to inform you
the Navy is keeping you sons away."
All five.
So keep your blue star in the window.

It's not hard to reach back to the day
When the war finally came home.
Uncle Sam he'll send you a telegram, so he
Doesn't have to tell you over the phone.
I heard she cracked up, when they found
Out what the war had cost,
And all five of her boys were lost.

Say goodbye Mrs. Sullivan
Go ahead and cry.
"We regret to inform you that all your sons
have passed away."
...All five!
So change you blue star to gold.