[Verse 1]
Boots in the dirt, same patch every day
Charlie 2/7, that name still stay
Sixteen months, that red-sand spell
Wrote our letters in the smoke, we were living in hell
Photos in the racks, lil’ faces on the wall
Heard their laughter in the night when the quiet would fall
Mama on the phone say, “boy, stay safe”
But I’m riding for my brothers if it come to that place
[Chorus]
Sixteen months in hell, we was all we had
Every man to the left, to the right, that’s fam
Put our names on the line, wouldn’t take it back
We would die for each other, that’s a blood-stained fact
Flags folded for the ones that ain’t coming home
Say their names in the dark so they ain’t alone
From the wives, from the kids, to the broken ribs
We would give our lives for each other, that’s how we live
[Verse 2]
Seen smoke on the road, heart froze in my vest
Heard “medic!” on the wind, felt God in my chest
Carried my boy to the bird, hands slick, eyes wide
Saw his daughter in a frame when they loaded inside
Some came back, but they left half there
Woke up on the couch just fighting that air
Man, you can’t unsee what your soul done seen
But we stand ten toes for the rest of the team (yeah)
[Chorus]
Sixteen months in hell, we was all we had
Every man to the left, to the right, that’s fam
Put our names on the line, wouldn’t take it back
We would die for each other, that’s a blood-stained fact
Flags folded for the ones that ain’t coming home
Say their names in the dark so they ain’t alone
From the wives, from the kids, to the broken ribs
We would give our lives for each other, that’s how we live
[Bridge]
To the boys still there, to the ghosts in the sand
To the rings on the chain, to the ink on the hand
If I go, let ‘em know I ain’t fall alone
Tell my folks back home I was holding my own (yeah)
[Chorus]
Sixteen months in hell, we was all we had
Every man to the left, to the right, that’s fam
Put our names on the line, wouldn’t take it back
We would die for each other, that’s a blood-stained fact
Flags folded for the ones that ain’t coming home
Say their names in the dark so they ain’t alone
From the wives, from the kids, to the broken ribs
We would give our lives for each other, that’s how we live