**(Verse 1)** My daddy came home from war late one December, Until then, missing him was all I could remember. He had patches on his shirt, from things he had done In battles it was difficult to know who had won. **(Verse 2)** I was just a boy at the age of ten years old Wanted to be the best, and do as I was told But even at my age I knew something wasn’t right I had become the reason for my parents’ fights. **(Pre Chorus)** Now Momma wasn’t known to lose her cool And I know she wasn’t trying to be cruel. **(Chorus)** She said, "He’s just a boy at ten years old You are his hero, that’s all he knows It’s just a bat, and a ball and some time in the yard No need to let the stress of the past change who you are He loves you and doesn't know what to do To get some time back the war took from you." **(Verse 3)** I stood on the porch while the winter wind blew Watching the man that I thought that I knew. He looked at his hands like they weren't his own Feeling the weight of the things he had to own. Then he caught my eye through the kitchen door And I saw the daddy I thought I'd lost for sure. **(Bridge)** It ain’t about the medals or the stars on the wall It’s about the man who’s there to catch the ball. You can’t change the places where you’ve already been But you can choose the moment that you’re living in. **(Chorus)** 'Cause he's just a boy at ten years old You are his hero, that’s all he knows It’s just a bat, and a ball and some time in the yard No need to let the stress of the past change who you are He loves you and doesn't know what to do To get some time back the war took from you. **(Outro)** *(Acoustic guitar fades, warm and steady)* Yeah, it’s just a bat and a ball... In the patch of the yard. Winning back the time... Yeah, he’s just a boy. (Fade out)
