[Verse 1]
I could see the car arrive
The uniforms, they stepped outside
Doorbell rings and breaks the quiet
Hats in hand, they come inside
The bitter truth, the disbelief
The shock at first, the waves of grief
How am I gonna carry on
When everything is gone?

[Chorus]
Ooh, native son
Ooh, where have you gone?

[Verse 2]
He was only seventeen
Local boy with small-town dreams
No one ever questioned it
Figured it was his best bet
Straight from school to his first tour
The constant fear that he endured
How are you gonna carry on
So far away from home?

[Chorus]
Ooh, native son
Ooh, where have you gone?
Ooh, native son
You're not coming home