They promise you brothers and a country’s love
And say God has blessed you with strength from above
I give up my soul as white as a dove
But I will never get it back.
The glory diminishes once I have sworn in
They strip me of all that I own save my skin
Submerging me in violence and anger and sin
Staining the white of my soul black.
The call comes, the time to leave hence for abroad
Obey all my orders, “Aye Sir!” and a nod
While fighting in lands where there seems there’s no God
Get ready, we plan to attack.
Slaughter, ******, blood, death and gore
All that I have dreaded but always much more
The remains of my brothers lie strewn ‘cross the floor
So we save what we can from their packs.
Who am I now? Just what have I done?
Many have died and been killed, but who’s won?
No more memories of childhood fun
The war fills my mind full of cracks.
Somehow I manage to dodge bullets, survive
Yet what I am now is nor more quite “alive”
To be normal again, to forget, I do strive
I want to forget and go back.
Back to my country, land of the free and the brave
Seeking a welcome, ‘tis their love that I crave
But forever some hate me, despised ‘til my grave
Even at home I am under attack.
My mind is all twisted and my emotions are torn
Why was I chosen? Why was I born?
My heroic actions are viewed with full scorn
Relief from this darkness I lack.