Joey’s Last Stand

[Verse 1]
Boots in the sand, dust in his lungs
Letters from home stuffed in his pack
Kids’ crayon hearts creased at the fold
He swore he was coming back
He joked through the fear, lit up the dark
Dog tags cold on his skin
Said, “If I don’t walk through that door
Tell the world where I’ve been”
[Chorus]
Raise up a glass to Joey’s last stand
He held that line like it was his land
In the fire, in the smoke
He was the shield, he never broke
Tell his little ones their daddy stood tall
He saved a life for every tear that falls
Yeah, the heroes on the ground wear his name
Joey’s last stand
Echoes on in the flame
[Verse 2]
Radio crackled, “They’re closing in fast”
He saw the fear in their eyes
“Get to the truck, I’ll cover your backs”
Then stepped out under the sky
Bullets like rain tearing the road
He smiled through the red on his hands
Thought of his wife on the front porch swing
As he made his final stand (oh)
[Chorus]
Raise up a glass to Joey’s last stand
He held that line like it was his land
In the fire, in the smoke
He was the shield, he never broke
Tell his little ones their daddy stood tall
He saved a life for every tear that falls
Yeah, the heroes on the ground wear his name
Joey’s last stand
Echoes on in the flame
[Bridge]
She keeps his ring on a silver chain
Talks to his photo when it rains
Kids in the yard in his old team shirt
Laugh as they run through the dirt
[Chorus]
Raise up a glass to Joey’s last stand
He held that line like it was his land
In the fire, in the smoke
He was the shield, he never broke
Tell his little ones their daddy stood tall
He gave his life so they could have it all
Yeah, the heroes on the ground wear his name
Joey’s last stand
Lives on in their veins

rock, Stadium-ready modern rock, big drums and overdriven guitars. First verse starts low and tense with palm-muted riff; chorus explodes with soaring male vocals and wide power chords. Second verse leans on tom-heavy groove and grinding bass, bridge drops to half-time with echoing lead guitar then climbs into a final, anthemic chorus with stacked harmonies and a feedback tail.