Smoking Gun
Unveiling the Burden: A Soldier's Silent Struggle
Lyrics
Been out in the desert two years
Returning home after spending time in a challenging or intense situation, possibly a metaphorical "desert."
Now it's time to come home
Expressing the desire or need to return to a familiar environment after a prolonged absence.
Had to rely on the gun strapped to my chest
Relied on a gun for survival or protection, contrasting it with modern communication devices.
Instead of this old cell phone
Choosing the use of a weapon for security over modern means of communication.
Now it's time to get back to my life
Aiming to resume normal life after a period of hardship.
Forget what I had to do
Trying to forget or move past the difficult experiences faced.
They say to keep it light
Advice to keep conversations light and avoid discussing distressing topics.
Don't scare the kids and wife
Avoiding details that might distress family members.
But my dreams know what I've been through
Feeling that personal experiences are understood only by one's dreams or subconscious.
They don't wanna know
People's reluctance to understand or acknowledge the sacrifices made, both personally and by friends.
They don't wanna know
-What it takes to wear these stripes
-They don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-About my friends that gave their lives
-They shake my hand say I'm a great man
Receiving praise for actions but the disconnect in understanding the true experiences.
And thanks for all I've done
-But they don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-About my smokin gun
-Then there's some that want to talk
Encountering individuals who oppose the war and blame soldiers, questioning the purpose of the fight.
How they're against the war
-Act like it's my fault
-Ask what I'm fighting for
-I'm a foot soldier I already told ya
Emphasizing commitment to duty despite not being in control of decisions, relying on camaraderie.
I don't call the shots
-But I trust my brothers
-We fight for each other
-So I give it all I got
-They don't wanna know
Reiteration of people's lack of interest in understanding the reality of sacrifices made and the toll it takes.
They don't wanna know
-What it takes to wear these stripes
-They don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-About my friends that gave their lives
-They shake my hand say I'm a great man
-And thanks for all I've done
-But they don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-About my smokin gun
-Think I'm complaining?
Clarifying that expressing hardships isn't a complaint but an acceptance of personal identity and choices made.
But I'm happy with who I am
-If I had to do it over
-I'd do it all over again
-I'm an American soldier
Declaration of identity as an American soldier committed to defending freedom.
That's who I'll always be
-And I'll proudly fight
-To keep my people free
-They don't wanna know
Repeated emphasis on the disconnect between public perception and the soldier's experiences.
They don't wanna know
-What it takes to wear these stripes
-They don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-About my friends that gave their lives
-They shake my hand say I'm a great man
-And thanks for all I've done
-But they don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
Continuation of the idea that people are unwilling to comprehend the weight of the soldier's experiences, particularly regarding the "smokin gun."
They don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-They don't wanna know
-About my smokin gun
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