[INTRO] [Instrumental — Slow, ambient strains of the U.S. National Anthem, fading into minor overtones] [Solo electric guitar or fingerpicked acoustic; subtle pads; ~68 BPM] [Transition softly into C major — final chord echo before Verse 1] ⸻ [Verse 1] [C – G – Am – F] [C – G – F – G] Signed my name on that line Thought I knew what it meant to serve But no one tells you the quiet Is louder when you return I came back in one piece But not in one mind And the war didn’t end It just moved inside ⸻ [Chorus 1] [Am – G – F – C] [Am – G – F – G] I’m still here, but not the same Learning how to carry shame In a world that claps for uniforms But doesn’t ask your name I don’t want to be a headline Or a folded flag, or a ghost I just want someone to see me Before I let go ⸻ [Verse 2] [C – G – Am – F] [C – G – F – G] They said “you’re strong, you’re a soldier” But strength isn’t silence It’s asking for help When the shadows get violent I dialed 988, hands shaking Staring at the kitchen floor Waiting for a text Like a lifeline knocking at my door ⸻ [Bridge] [F – G – Am – C] [F – G – C – G] No medals for making it Through one more sleepless night No parade for the mornings When you turn back from the fight But I held on with a whisper And the weight of this tear Not for glory — just to say I’m still here ⸻ [Verse 3] [C – G – Am – F] [C – G – F – G] There’s a candle on the counter And a sticky note that says “breathe” I light it when I falter And forget what I believe I’ve been counted out by silence But I’m still whispering back Still standing in the hallway With both feet on the tracks ⸻ [Verse 4] [C – G – Am – F] [C – G – F – G] The headlines don’t know me And the flags don’t hold my name But this heartbeat in my ribcage Is pounding just the same I don’t need you to save me I just need to be known In the space between the echoes Where I’ve built a life alone ⸻ [Final Chorus] [Am – G – F – C] [Am – G – F – G] I’m still here, still trying To be more than just surviving With a candle and a sticky note That says: “Keep driving” I don’t want to be a headline Or a folded flag, or a ghost I just want to be human And still feel close ⸻ [Outro] [F – C – G – Am] [F – C – G – C] (end on Csus2) [Drop to soft acoustic guitar + ambient tone] [Let the final chord hang open] [Faint return of National Anthem motif — single instrument, fading like a memory]
