11 Bravo
Echoes of War: A Soldier's Reflection on Consequences
Lyrics
When I was young
Reflecting on youth and aspirations.
I wanted to be all I could be
Desire to maximize personal potential.
So I signed up for the infantry
Enlistment in the infantry to fulfill ambitions.
They trained me well
Positive experience in military training.
They put a rifle in my hand
Received a rifle as part of military preparation.
Said give 'em hell
Encouraged to be aggressive in combat.
And don't let up
Directive to maintain intensity in battle.
Well up 'til then I'd just been wanderin' through a dream
Transition from a dream-like state to a defined purpose.
Now my life made perfect
Contentment and clarity in military life.
Perfect sense to me
Fulfilled understanding of personal destiny.
They sent me out and soon I met the enemy
Introduction to the harsh reality of war.
I took my gun and shot him down
First-person experience of taking another's life.
As he lay
Recognition of the consequences in the aftermath.
I watched the life fade from his eyes
Witnessing the death of the enemy.
As the blood ran down his face
Graphic description of the violent act.
Said oh my God
Immediate remorse and questioning of actions.
What the hell have I just done
Shock and regret for the irreversible deed.
I took his life
Acknowledgment of taking a life.
Right there he lays
Realization of the lifeless enemy.
And up 'til then I'd just been wanderin' through a dream
Contrast between past dreams and present reality.
I'd never killed a man
First experience of killing, confronting inner conflict.
I'd never felt that sting
The emotional impact of causing harm to another.
They sent me out and soon I met the enemy
Repetition of encountering the enemy in war.
I took my gun and shot him down
Reiteration of the act of shooting down the enemy.
When I was young
Recollection of youthful aspirations.
I wanted to be all I could be
Reiteration of the desire to reach full potential.
So I signed up to go to war
Enlistment in the military with a focus on war.
They trained me well
Positive training contrasted with emotional preparation.
But they don't train for how it feels
Acknowledgment of the lack of emotional training.
It sends a chill down through my core
Intense emotional impact reaching the innermost self.
I don't know how to deal with how this feels
Struggling to cope with overwhelming emotions.
How was I supposed to know
Confusion about how to handle the emotional burden.
How could I know
Repetition of the confusion and lack of foresight.
How could I know
-How could I know
-How could I know
-How could I know
-How could I know
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