Ordinary Soldier

Written based on my experiences in the Persian Gulf War

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Ordinary Soldier

Written by David Wright
19 February 2026

verse 1:
boots deep in borrowed sand
stepped forward when called upon
wrote letters by moonlight with his hand
worked hard in the blistering sun
couldn't eat without tasting sand
couldn't count the stars in the sky
ready to serve follow the plan
prepared for war, where the horizon lies

chorus:
gave his heart to the army
and his soul to the Lord
proud to serve God and country
with faith he carried forward
he marched onward into battle
he answered the command
he understood the reasons
and the danger at hand
just an ordinary soldier
doing the best that he can

verse 2:
the shield turned into a sword
“red air” rang out in the night
he awoke to a new desert storm
in the hours before first light
the war close but seemed distant
as jets pounded unseen lines
all day and night with persistence
like fireworks on the fourth of july

chorus:
gave his heart to the army
and his soul to the Lord
proud to serve God and country
with Faith he carried forward
he marched onward into battle
he answered the command
he understood the reasons
and the danger at hand
just an ordinary soldier
doing the best that he can

verse 3:
horizon to horizon 
into battle like hell on wheels
in the air smoke was rising
aglow from distant oil fields
when the morning sun arose
the battle fought was over
but in his blood a new war grows
he wouldn’t know until he’s older

bridge:
it wasn't courage that raised his hand
it wasn't pride that made him stand
it wasn't anger
it wasn't fear
it wasn't hate
it wasn't tears
it was just a boy
fighting someone else’s war

outro:
just an ordinary soldier
doing his best
honoring the fallen
with a medal pinned on his chest

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Ordinary Soldier Written by David Wright 19 February 2026 Copyright © 2026, by David Wright verse 1: boots deep in borrowed sand stepped forward when called upon wrote letters by moonlight with his hand worked hard in the blistering sun couldn't eat without tasting sand couldn't count the stars in the sky ready to serve follow the plan prepared for war, where the horizon lies chorus: gave his heart to the army and his soul to the Lord proud to serve God and country with faith he carried forward he marched onward into battle he answered the command he understood the reasons and the danger at hand just an ordinary soldier doing the best that he can verse 2: the shield turned into a sword “red air” rang out in the night he awoke to a new desert storm in the hours before first light the war close but seemed distant as jets pounded unseen lines all day and night with persistence like fireworks on the fourth of july chorus: gave his heart to the army and his soul to the Lord proud to serve God and country with Faith he carried forward he marched onward into battle he answered the command he understood the reasons and the danger at hand just an ordinary soldier doing the best that he can verse 3: horizon to horizon into battle like hell on wheels in the air smoke was rising aglow from distant oil fields when the morning sun arose the battle fought was over but in his blood a new war grows he wouldn’t know until he’s older chorus: gave his heart to the army and his soul to the Lord proud to serve God and country with faith he carried forward he marched onward into battle he answered the command he understood the reasons and the danger at hand just an ordinary soldier doing the best that he can bridge: it wasn't courage that raised his hand it wasn't pride that made him stand it wasn't anger it wasn't fear it wasn't hate it wasn't tears it was just a boy fighting someone else’s war chorus: gave his heart to the army and his soul to the Lord proud to serve God and country with Faith he carried forward he marched onward into battle he answered the command he understood the reasons and the danger at hand just an ordinary soldier doing the best that he can chorus: gave his heart to the army and his soul to the Lord proud to serve God and country with Faith he carried forward he marched onward into battle he answered the command he understood the reasons and the danger at hand just an ordinary soldier doing the best that he can outro: just an ordinary soldier doing his best honoring the fallen with a medal pinned on his chest

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