Cracked Old Boards and Rusty Nails

With cracked old boards and rusty nails
a house we built up in the air
on bough and limbs like outstretched arms
this giant stood in our backyard
a tree it was that most would see
but to us it was our revelry
a palace others did not see
only stare they did so dreadfully

the world was simple, yet confused
searching for a path to use
a King, a President the world all knew
had fallen by the way too soon
by drifting souls longing for
a place to have their mark restored
by bullets slung they to assail
as voices screamed "over there"
If only they had built their world
with cracked old boards and rusty nails

then brothers old enough to serve
were called to duty in the war
some returned with limbs not there
some came back to breathe no air
the powers both used guns and bombs
to kill each other in alarm

now it's the same, though times have changed
with years gone by these all remain
if only they could learn to build
with cracked old boards and rusty nails
and how I wish I could still be there
in the house we built up in the air