[Verse 1]
They said it’s quick
“Couple weeks and we’ll be done”
Raised a flag
Raised a glass
Praised the rising sun
Screen light on my face
Names scrolling down in blue
I signed
I smiled for my mama
“I’ll be fine
I’ll pull through”
[Chorus]
Now it’s ashes on the red line
Smoke in my rearview sky
Prayed this storm would pass me by
But it pulled the whole world in
This time
Thought it’d be easy
Thought it’d be clean
Just a distant fire on a TV screen
Now I’m calling out
“Can you hear me?”
As the whole world falls between
Ashes on the red line
[Verse 2]
USA patch on my shoulder
My brother’s star on his chest
He said
“They started this for power
We’re here to clean up their mess”
Steel birds over the border
Old cities under new flares
I hear accents in the trenches
We all bleed the same prayers
[Chorus]
Now it’s ashes on the red line
Smoke in my rearview sky
Prayed this storm would pass me by
But it pulled the whole world in
This time
Thought it’d be easy
Thought it’d be clean
Just a distant fire on a TV screen
Now I’m calling out
“Can you hear me?”
As the whole world falls between
Ashes on the red line
[Bridge]
Did we start this for freedom
Or a story to sell back home? (oh)
’Cause the flags on our rifles
Ain’t the ones crying alone
I see brothers from far lands
Eyes just as tired as mine
They don’t know why they’re here either
Only know they crossed a line
[Chorus]
Now it’s ashes on the red line
Smoke in my rearview sky
Prayed this storm would pass me by
But it pulled the whole world in
This time
Thought it’d be easy
Thought it’d be clean
Just a distant fire on a TV screen
Now I’m begging God
“Please hear me”
If there’s peace on the other side
Let it fall like rain this time
On these ashes on the red line