[Intro — quiet acoustic guitar, pen scratching on paper] Dear Mom and Dad, I'm doing fine, I've got some time to kill, They told us move at zero-five... So naturally— WE'RE STANDING STILL. [Full band kicks in] [Verse 1] We packed our gear before the sun, Got dressed without a sound, Hauled ass like the war depended On us getting out of town. Formation wasn't till oh-seven, But fifteen prior multiplied, By the time the math was finished— WE'D BEEN THERE SINCE FUCKING FIVE. Dear Mom, remember when you said The Core would teach me patience? Turns out you weren't fucking kidding— IT'S HALF MY OCCUPATION. [Chorus] HURRY UP AND WAIT! Hurry just to stay! Run like hell to get there early, Then throw half your life away! HURRY UP AND WAIT! Fifteen prior seals your fate! If you're early, you're on time— SO GET THERE EARLY... THEN FUCKING WAIT! [Verse 2] Dear Dad, we hit the armory Before the morning light, Stood outside with all our gear And watched the day turn bright. Got our rifles, checked our numbers, Loaded up and cleared the gate, Then somebody passed the word around— THE FUCKING RANGE WILL OPEN LATE. I've cleaned my rifle seventeen times, Repacked my gear for fun, Counted every crack beneath my boots— I'M DOWN TO FORTY-ONE. There's a rock beside the parking lot, I've named the bastard Steve. We've gotten pretty fucking close. I'M GONNA MISS HIM WHEN WE LEAVE. [Chorus] HURRY UP AND WAIT! That's the Marine Core way! Move like someone's shooting at you— THEN DON'T FUCKING MOVE ALL DAY! HURRY UP AND WAIT! Nobody knows the fucking date! Nobody knows what we're waiting for— BUT WE BETTER FUCKING WAIT! [Verse 3] Dear Mom, you always told me That I ought to rest my head, So I asked Gunny why not sleep in And just meet 'em there instead. He stared at me in silence Like I'd finally lost my head, Then said, “Son, quit your bitching— YOU CAN SLEEP WHEN YOU'RE DEAD.” So I'm awake before the sunrise, While the whole damn world's in bed, HURRY UP AND WAIT, DEAR MOM— I'LL GET SOME SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD. [Verse 4] Dear Dad, the bus was due at eight, We've waited here since six, It's pushing ten, there's still no bus— TRANSPORTATION'S FULL OF SHIT. I've read the warning on my MRE At least a dozen times, Watched two ants invade a cracker— THEIR TACTICS ARE DIVINE. I've reorganized my pockets, Tied my boots another way, Started writing you this letter— I'M ON FUCKING PAGE EIGHT. [Pre-Chorus] We hurry to the armory, We hurry to the gate, We hurry to the buses— JUST TO FUCKING SIT AND WAIT. [Chorus] HURRY UP AND WAIT! Hurry just to stay! Run like hell to get there early, Then watch the hours decay! HURRY UP AND WAIT! Fifteen prior seals your fate! If you're early, you're on time— SO GET THERE EARLY... THEN FUCKING WAIT! [Bridge — music drops, more reflective] Dear Mom and Dad, it's funny, We bitch about these wasted days, All the hours spent doing nothing, All the time we threw away. Sitting on our packs together, Talking shit to pass the day, Swearing once we finally got out We'd forget this fucking place. But someday when we're older, We'll remember every face, And probably miss these dumb bastards... Even all the fucking wait. [Pause] Okay. Maybe not the waiting. [Band slams back in] [Breakdown] Fifteen prior! TO FIFTEEN PRIOR! Fifteen prior! TO THAT! Keep subtracting fifteen minutes— TILL THE FUCKING CLOCK GOES BACK! Weapons ready! WAIT! Buses coming! WAIT! Range is open! WAIT! What's the word?! STANDBY! [Final Chorus] HURRY UP AND WAIT! That's the Marine Corps way! Spend your youth arriving early For some shit that's running late! HURRY UP AND WAIT! Maybe that's just fucking fate! We learned to fight, we learned to shoot— BUT MOST OF ALL, WE LEARNED TO WAIT! Dear Mom and Dad, I gotta go, They finally gave the word! We're moving out, so love you both— THIS IS THE BEST NEWS I'VE HEARD! [Music builds triumphantly] Pack the letter! Grab the gear! We're finally getting out of here! [Abrupt stop] ... Belay my last. Transportation's delayed. [Long silence] Dear Mom and Dad... Page nine. [Final chord]
