[Verse 1] Dog tags swing when I step on the gravel Boot print deep in the dirt, I travel Shield on my back like a sworn old habit Old soul heart in a wartime jacket Brooklyn on my tongue, world on my shoulders Frostbit veins, came back colder I seen friends fade in the flash of a flame Still salute every ghost when they call my name [Chorus] I’m that star-spangled soldier (yeah) Red on my knuckles, weight on my shoulders Stand in the line when the whole world folds up Still plant feet, tell fear “roll up” I don’t run from the fight, I run to it (run to it) Truth in my chest, I stay fluent If you need a stand, I’m the man on the line Captain of the lost, keep ’em all in time [Verse 2] Wake from the past with the future in my face Billboards bright, but the morals out of place They tell kids “pose,” I tell kids “lead” They flash big chains, I just bleed for the creed I took hits from my own, still stayed loyal Saw flags used wrong, kept my soil royal You gon’ measure my worth by a bruise or a scar? I count every life that I carried out the dark [Chorus] I’m that star-spangled soldier (yeah) Red on my knuckles, weight on my shoulders Stand in the line when the whole world folds up Still plant feet, tell fear “roll up” I don’t run from the fight, I run to it (run to it) Truth in my chest, I stay fluent If you need a stand, I’m the man on the line Captain of the lost, keep ’em all in time [Bridge] They ask, “Who you die for?” I say, “Who I live for” Every last kid on the back row bleacher Every quiet voice no leader will reach for I’m the shield when the promise gets thin (get thin) Front door open, tell hope “come in” If courage got a face in the middle of the clash It’s a beat up vet with a shield and a past [Chorus] I’m that star-spangled soldier (yeah) Red on my knuckles, weight on my shoulders Stand in the line when the whole world folds up Still plant feet, tell fear “roll up” I don’t run from the fight, I run to it (run to it) Truth in my chest, I stay fluent If you need a stand, I’m the man on the line Captain of the lost, keep ’em all in time

rap, Cinematic boom-bap meets modern trap bounce; male vocals with a commanding, articulate flow. Brass stabs and marching snares in the verses, halftime 808 drops in the hook. Big crowd chants on the chorus, subtle choir pads in the bridge, everything mixed to feel heroic but street-ready.

Star-Spangled Bars