He grew up in some forgotten midwest town 
His mama raised him well 
Barely getting by, but he'd be okay 
As far as he could tell 
Oh, the plant in town closed ten years ago 
Now an empty ghost ship stands 
For the last nine months he's tried to find a job 
But there's nothing to be had 

So he signs up to fight for Uncle Sam 
It's the only choice he's got 
To fight a desert war with another land 
Only to find peace or not 
He's a moving target in a desperate place 
Every day is a twist of fate 
Oh, his family wonders if he'll make it home 
Knowing his faith's his saving grace 

Now he's waking up in a strange land 
To face an even stranger day 
Brave ones, standing tall 
Keep them all out of harms way 

Now he's waking up in a strange land 
To face an even stranger day 
Brave ones, standing tall 
Keep them all out of harms way 
Keep them all out of harms way 
Harms way 

Oh, they sent him home to his family 
Nursing wounds that no one sees 
Certain scents and smells trigger flashback spells 
That rewind the tragedy 
All these memories hold him prisoner 
Cause of the violence he regrets 
What was his ticket out is his nightmare now 
In a war he can't forget 

Now he's waking up in a strange land 
To face an even stranger day 
Brave ones, standing tall 
Keep them all out of harms way 

Now he's waking up in a strange land 
To face an even stranger day 
Brave ones, standing tall 
Keep them all out of harms way 
Keep them all out of harms way 
Harms way