Jimmy Fortune - More Than A Name On A Wall Lyrics
Lyrics
I saw her from a distance, as she walked up to the wall
In her hand she held some flowers, as her tears began to fall
She took out pen and paper as to trace her mem'ries
She looked up to heaven, and the words she said were these
She said, "Lord my boy was special, and he meant so much to me
And Oh, I'd love to see him just one more time you see
All I have are the mem'ries and the moments to recall
So Lord could you tell him he's more than a name on the wall"
She said, "He really missed the family, being home on Christmas day
And he died for God and country in a place so far away
I remember just a little boy, playing war since he was three
And Lord this time I know, he's not coming home to me"
She said, "Lord my boy was special, and he meant so much to me
And Oh, I'd love to see him but I know it just can't be
So I thank you for my mem'ries and the moments to recall
But Lord could you tell him he's more than a name on the wall
Lord could you tell him he's more than a name on the wall"
Video
Jimmy Fortune - More Than A Name On A Wall (Live In Columbia, TN/2019)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on November 6, 2019, Jimmy Fortune's live rendition of "More Than A Name On A Wall," captured in Columbia, Tennessee, stands as a poignant musical tribute that reaches deep into the heart of remembrance and honor. The song itself serves as a powerful reminder that the names etched into the cold stone of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial represent vibrant, living souls—sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, friends—each with a unique story, dreams, and a future tragically cut short. It confronts the anonymity that can sometimes shroud mass memorials, insisting with heartfelt clarity that these were individuals whose lives mattered profoundly and whose sacrifice demands more than just a passing glance at a name; it calls for a recognition of the person behind the name, the life they lived, and the love they left behind.
Approaching this song from a perspective of faith, we can see its message resonate with profound biblical truths about the value of every single life and the significance of sacrifice and remembrance. The song challenges us to see beyond a list of names, to the unique, divinely crafted individual each one represents. Scripture consistently affirms that every person is known intimately by God and holds immeasurable value in His sight. Jesus Himself points out in Luke 12:6-7 that not even a single sparrow is forgotten by God, and indeed, the very hairs of our head are numbered; how much more, then, does He care for and remember His children? Psalm 139 speaks to the intricate, personal knowledge God has of us, forming us in the womb and knowing our frame before we were even conceived. This song echoes that divine perspective, urging us to remember that behind each name was a person fearfully and wonderfully made, cherished by family, and infinitely precious to God.
Furthermore, the song honors the profound sacrifice made by those who died serving their country. While the context is military sacrifice, the theme of laying down one's life for others is deeply embedded in Christian teaching. Jesus said in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." This verse speaks to the ultimate act of selfless love, mirrored in Christ's own sacrifice on the cross. The soldiers remembered in this song offered their lives in service to a cause they believed in, an act of immense courage and love for their comrades and country. Reflecting on this through a biblical lens reminds us of the high cost of love and the honor due to those who pay it, directing our thoughts ultimately to the unparalleled sacrifice of Christ, which secured eternal life for humanity.
The very act of memorialization that the song contemplates—remembering the fallen—is also a practice with roots in biblical history. Throughout Scripture, God commands His people to remember His acts of deliverance, His covenant, and the lives of those who lived by faith. Hebrews chapter 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," serves as a profound reminder of individuals who lived lives of faith and sacrifice, ensuring their legacies endure as inspiration for future generations. Remembering the lives behind the names on the wall is not just a civic duty; it aligns with a spiritual principle of honoring legacies, learning from lives lived, and ensuring that significant sacrifices are never forgotten. It encourages us to ponder the lasting impact of a life lived with purpose, service, and love, recognizing that while earthly memorials fade, the true measure of a life and its eternal significance are known fully only to God, who promises never to forget His own. This song, therefore, serves as a powerful, moving reflection that stirs our hearts to remember not just names, but souls, challenging us to live lives worthy of the sacrifices made for our freedom and to hold dear the value of every individual life, as God Himself does.