Grandpa stood ramrod tall
I was nine and half as small as we stood beside the wall Memorial Day
He handed me a piece of paper and a big Crayola crayon
I remember Grandpa crying standing in the rain
He told if I traced the line I'd find a name that looks like mine
Can you read the writing on the wall, tell me where have all the heroes gone?
Look, they're standing all around
Staring at the ground trying to recall all the writing on the wall
Years have passed since I recall
That first time we stood at the wall and now I wheel my Grandpa cross that hallowed land
He asks me for a piece of paper and a big Crayola crayon
And with a tear I help him keep a steady hand
And on that granite wall of fame he traces on my Daddy's name
Can you read the writing on the wall, tell me where have all the heroes gone?
Look, they're standing all around, staring at the ground trying to recall all the writing on the wall
It takes stone and earth and mortar, to make a mighty wall
Add some fire and some water, etch the martyrs' names, when they fall
Then you'll read the writing on the wall, tell me where have all the heroes gone?
Look, they're standing all around, staring at the ground trying to recall all the writing on the wall
Writing on the wall
Isn't anyone ashamed at all, by the writing on the wall?
Isn't anyone to blame at all, for the writing on the wall?
Nothing's ever been the same at all, since the writing on the wall
Writing on the wall, writing on the wall, mmm...