[Verse 1]
Boot prints fade in the morning rain
All that's left is a number and a name-less grave
You signed a page
Boarded that plane
Thinking more of the flag than the fear you faced
Dust in your teeth
Fire in the sky
Letters in your pocket you would never write
You ran toward the roar
Not the dark behind
Holding one small hope like a raging light
[Chorus]
This is for the unknown soldier
Heart of steel in a borrowed frame
You laid down your one wild story
So the rest of us could stay the same
You had a face
You had a father
You had a laugh somebody still hears
Unknown name
Unbroken flame
Burning through the years
[Verse 2]
Brothers fell where you chose to stand
You stayed when every instinct screamed "get out
Get out"
You closed your eyes
Raised your hands
Carried someone else through the worst of the doubt
No last speech
No camera flare
Just a cracked photograph and a hurried prayer
You bit down hard on the rising fear
Trading your whole life for a line of defense right here
[Chorus]
This is for the unknown soldier
Heart of steel in a borrowed frame
You laid down your one wild story
So the rest of us could stay the same
You had a face
You had a mother
You had a dream that never came true
Unknown name
Unbroken flame
We remember you
[Bridge]
[Music drops to voice and muted guitar]
You are every son they waited for
Every stair they still avoid at night (oh)
Every empty chair at the table
Every badge in folded white
[Chorus]
This is for the unknown soldier
Heart of steel in a borrowed frame
You laid down your one wild story
So the rest of us could live unchained
You had a face
You had a heartbeat
You had a love somebody once knew
Unknown name
Unbroken flame
We stand and salute
[Outro]
Unknown name
On sacred stone
Unbroken flame
You are not alone