The Letter
Eternal Sacrifice: A Heartfelt Letter from the Frontlines
Lyrics
She walks to the dresser and opens the drawer
She goes to the dresser and opens a drawer.
Gently lifts out the box like she has many times before
She delicately takes out a box, a familiar action for her.
She takes out the letter addressed in her name
She retrieves a letter addressed to her.
Feels the lump in her throat and a tear in her eye again
She feels a lump in her throat and a tear in her eye, indicating emotional distress.
Her mind takes her back to that day 15 years ago
Her thoughts go back 15 years to a significant day.
To the uniformed men at her door that she didn't know
She recalls unfamiliar uniformed men at her door.
As they spoke she could feel the blood drain from her face
She experiences shock as they deliver news, blood draining from her face.
As into her hands the letter they placed
They place a letter into her hands.
If you're reading this letter, then I ain't made it back
The letter suggests the writer didn't survive.
I know there'll be tears in your eyes and that's what makes me sad
Anticipating tears in her eyes, expressing sadness.
Think of all the happy times 'fore I went away
The writer encourages remembering happy times before departure.
Please don't cry cos I'm gone, just remember me that way
Asking not to cry but to remember in a positive light.
And fly the flag for me cos I ain't coming home
The request to fly the flag as a symbol of absence.
Came out here with a job to do, didn't quite get it done
Expresses not completing a mission despite efforts.
But I hope and I pray that in 15 years it won't be in vain
Hopes and prays that the sacrifice won't be in vain in the future.
I'm proud of what I've done, I'd do it all again
The writer is proud of their actions and willing to repeat them.
She turns on her tv and fees her anger rise
Watching TV, she feels anger rise seeing images from a place where a young boy lost his life.
As the pictures are beamed from the place where boy gave his life
She thinks of the boy, hoping his sacrifice was not in vain.
She thinks of him praying it wasn't in vain
As she cries, she sees history repeating itself.
As she cries and sees history repeating itself again
(Blank line, no specific meaning conveyed.)
Her little boys life was worth much more than this
She closes the letter, sealing it with a kiss.
As she closes the letter and seals it with a kiss
She wishes she could share the words he wrote in case he didn't return.
She wishes she could look someone straight in the eye
(Blank line, no specific meaning conveyed.)
And read them the words that he wrote just in case he died
Reiteration of the letter's content about not making it back.
If you're reading this letter, then I ain't made it back
Encourages recalling happy times before departure.
I know there'll be tears in your eyes and that's what makes me sad
Requests not to cry but to remember positively.
Think of all the happy times 'fore I went away
Reiterates the symbolism of flying the flag for the absent individual.
Please don't cry cos I'm gone, just remember me that way
Expresses not completing a mission despite efforts.
And fly the flag for me cos I ain't coming home
Hopes and prays that the sacrifice won't be in vain in the future.
Came out here with a job to do, didn't quite get it done
The writer is proud of their actions and willing to repeat them.
But I hope and I pray that in 15 years it won't be in vain
(Blank line, no specific meaning conveyed.)
I'm proud of what I've done, I'd do it all again
Reiteration of the writer's pride in their actions and willingness to repeat them.
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