[Verse 1] Two barefoot boys, raised in Kentucky’s red clay, Big brother was my hero in every game we’d play. Taught me how to throw a ball, how to talk to girls just right, Said, “When I’m grown, I’ll earn those stripes - like Daddy did before us.” That summer he left, Mama cried and Daddy prayed, I stood by that yellow bus and waved. [Chorus 1] I was countin’ down the days till he came home again, Hangin’ on his letters, readin’ every word he’d send, He said, “Keep your chin up, little brother, I’ll be back,” Never dreamed I’d see a flag come home instead of him like that. [Verse 2] I took to runnin’ wild once that news soaked in, Bottle in my hand, ghost in my skin. Church pew felt empty, my prayers turned to smoke, Mama said soft, “Son, you’re not lost - you’re just broke.” One night I found his dog tags in a drawer Felt his voice say, “What you still cryin’ for?” [Chorus 2] So I signed my name where he once signed his own, Traded my pain for a place unknown, Didn’t know what I’d find, or what I’d become, Just knew it was time to walk that road he'd run. [Bridge] Out here under foreign skies, I still feel him near, In the hum of the engines and the ringing in my ears. When the nights get long and the memories bite, I see his grin in the firelight. ...In the firelight! [Transition] Now I’ve got brothers standin’ watch through the fight and the fear, When I look around, it’s like he’s still here. ...Like he’s still here. [Final Chorus] Now I’m countin’ down the days till I get home again, But I’ve learned what “brother” really means since then, He taught me courage, the Corps taught me grace, The Lord took one… but He sent more in his place. [Outro] Oh Yeah, brothers like that… never fade away. Hmmm mmm mmmm
