“Where Did We Go Wrong?”

Intro – feedback, fast drums kick in]
Yeah—
Red, white, blue… what happened to you?

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[Verse 1]
We were raised on stories, freedom and pride,
Stars and stripes, hand over heart, side by side,
Said we take care of our own, never leave ‘em behind—
Now it’s headlines, hard truths, and a different kind of lie.

Boots hit dirt for a promise they made,
Came back broken, just numbers in a parade,
Paper medals don’t heal what they hide,
While they fight for scraps just to stay alive.

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[Pre-Chorus]
You wave that flag like it means somethin’ still,
But it don’t pay rent, it don’t cover the bills,
You say “thank you for your service” with a hollow tone—
Then leave ‘em fightin’ every war alone.

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[Chorus]
Where did we go wrong?!
We built ‘em up just to tear ‘em down,
Singin’ freedom in a broken town—
Yeah, the system chews you up and spits you out.
Where did we go wrong?!
Promises burn like gasoline,
Nothing’s ever what it seems—
We salute ‘em high, then we let ‘em drown!

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[Verse 2]
Wheelchair stuck on a cracked sidewalk,
Tryna get help but it’s all just talk,
Forms and lines, endless delay—
While the ones who served get pushed away.

Disabled vets with invisible scars,
Fightin’ demons long after the wars,
But the help’s too late or it never arrives,
Guess survival ain’t part of the prize.

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[Pre-Chorus]
Politicians preach from a polished stage,
While real lives crumble in quiet rage,
They cash their checks, turn their backs, move on—
Tell me again… where did we go wrong?

⸻

[Chorus]
Where did we go wrong?!
We built ‘em up just to tear ‘em down,
Singin’ freedom in a broken town—
Yeah, the system chews you up and spits you out.
Where did we go wrong?!
Promises burn like gasoline,
Nothing’s ever what it seems—
We salute ‘em high, then we let ‘em drown!

⸻

[Bridge – slower, gritty tone]
This ain’t the dream they sold us before,
This ain’t the country they died for,
You can’t wrap truth in a flag and pretend—
That neglect ain’t a message you send.

It’s not about hate, it’s about what’s real,
About the wounds they never heal,
If freedom’s strong—then why are they fallin’?
Why ain’t nobody answerin’ the callin’?

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[Breakdown – heavy, shouted]
Used up! Thrown out!
That’s what it’s all about!
Stand up! Speak loud!
For the ones they won’t talk about!

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[Final Chorus – louder, chaotic]
Where did we go wrong?!
We built ‘em up just to tear ‘em down,
Singin’ freedom in a hollow sound—
Yeah, the truth gets buried underground!
Where did we go wrong?!
No more silence, no more shame—
If we don’t change, we’re all to blame—
You can’t keep callin’ this home!

⸻

[Outro – fading guitar noise]
Red, white, blue…
We gotta do better than this.

male, Punk Rock Anthem