Can I Go Too

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

February 22, 2021

I was talking to a wife of a Vietnam veteran after she read my book, For The Love Of Jack and she said she wished she read it when it first came out in 2003. Her husband walked out of her life and she still loved him, but she had no idea what he was going through, or why everything went to hell.

This reminded me of when we had the worst of our years and how many times it seemed next to impossible to stay together. The thing is, even if you know what PTSD is, it is still a battle. But as with all battles, it is better if you fight them together.

That is why today the featured video is Which Way You Goin' Billy.

This story behind Which Way You Goin' Billy

Terry was a big Buddy Holly fan, and started writing the song in his pre-Poppy days with the working title "Which Way You Goin' Buddy?" He had the melody, but couldn't come up with a lyrical theme. A few years later, after he formed The Poppy Family, he hit on the idea. In our interview with Terry Jacks, he explained: "It was in 1969 and I had been reading about all these guys going to Vietnam and leaving their women behind in Seattle, and I knew somebody down there that was doing that. I thought, 'Wow, that must be awful.' These guys go and their wives or girlfriends wouldn't know whether they were coming back. That's quite a deal, going to war over there, and it was such a stupid war. So I said, 'That's what I'm going to write about: this woman that's left behind. Which way you going, Billy? Can I go, too?'"

If you have PTSD, the people who love you have no way of knowing what is going on with you. Give them a chance to stand by your side. Don't make them regret not knowing what you wouldn't tell them.

Maybe they will leave you, but that will probably happen if you let them think it is their fault. Isn't your relationship worth trying to get them to understand?

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

Which Way You Goin' Billy

The Poppy Family 

Which way you goin', Billy?

Can I go too?

Which way you goin', Billy?

Can I go with you?

I really love you, Billy

And all this time

I thought you loved me, Billy

And you were mine

I'm gonna miss you, Billy

And though I'm trying

I'm hurtin' so bad, Billy

I can't help cryin'

You are my whole babe

My heart and my soul babe

I'd have nothing to show babe

If you should go away

You are my whole babe

My heart and my soul babe

I'd have nothing to show babe

If you should go

Which way you goin', Billy?

Or need I ask?

'Cause you don't want me, Billy

You're free at last

I won't forget you, Billy

For all my life

I'll always love you, Billy

I'll stay your wife

You are my whole babe

My heart and my soul babe

I'd have nothing to show babe

If you should go away

You are my whole babe

My heart and my soul babe

I'd have nothing to show babe

If you should go

You are my whole babe

My heart and my soul babe

I'd have nothing to show babe

If you should go away

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Terry Jacks

Which Way You Goin' Billy lyrics © Gone Fishin Music