What Was it For

Verse 1
I raised my right hand under a courthouse sky,
Swore to defend it, ready to die.
They said freedom ain’t free, son,
And I believed every word.

Carried that weight in a desert heat,
Dust in my lungs, fire at my feet.
Folded a flag for a mama’s tears,
Saluted the fallen, swallowed my fears.

Pre-Chorus
We fought for a promise carved in stone,
For a flag and a country we called our own.

Chorus
Now I’m standin’ here askin’, what was it for?
We bled for the truth, but we ain’t sure anymore.
They shake our hands while they close the door,
Tell me brother… what was it for?

⸻

Verse 2
Came back home to a different fight,
Paperwork chains and laws stacked high.
Taxes rising, freedom thin,
Feels like the walls are closin’ in.

Men in suits talk sacrifice,
From polished floors and guarded nights.
They never heard that battlefield cry,
Never watched a good man die.

Pre-Chorus
We fought for the land of the brave and free,
But freedom don’t feel like it used to me.

Chorus
Now I’m standin’ here askin’, what was it for?
We bled for the truth, but we ain’t sure anymore.
They wave that flag like they did before,
But I’m still askin’… what was it for?

⸻

Bridge (Strip it down – vocal almost alone)
Was it for the deals made outta sight?
Was it for power dressed up as right?
’Cause I didn’t lose friends for a damn mirage,
Didn’t wear that patch for a camouflage.

(Snare starts building back in…)

⸻

Final Chorus (Full Band, Blues Grit)
Now we’re standin’ here askin’, what was it for?
We paid in blood and they settled the score.
You can’t wrap the truth in red, white, and war—
So tell me brother… what was it for?
(Tag – instruments drop to snare + slide guitar)
What was it for…

Blues-rock outlaw country, slide guitar, snare pulse, gravel vocal, emotional veteran protest