Before I Ever Served

Steady march. Snare tight. No rush.)

Verse 1

Left foot, right foot, count it out

Learned my name when they stripped me down

Hair cut short, stand in line

Eyes front, fall in time

Boots hit dirt, gravel road

Carry the weight, never show

I learned quick how to stay in step

And swallow words I never said

Chorus (Marching Radio Hook)

I was somebody before I served

Before the oath, before the hurt

Before the nights I still replay

And the things I did along the way

Yeah the storm can take my medals

Take my strength, take my pride

But it can’t take the name He gave me

Before I stepped in that line

Verse 2

Kept my head down, shoulders square

Trust the man on either side

Built my worth on hold the line

Don’t fall out, don’t ask why

But the marching never leaves your bones

Even when you’re back at home

And when the noise finally went quiet

I had to face the man inside

Chorus

I was somebody before I served

Before the scars, before the dirt

Before the weight I still carry

And the ones who didn’t make it home

Yeah the storm can take my medals

Take the years, take the fight

But it can’t take the name He gave me

Before I stepped in that line

Bridge (Drums Drop, Low Gospel Feel)

I ain’t saved by the miles I walked

Or the orders I never talked

If I lose my footing, lose my way

Grace still calls me by my name

(Two bars of drums only)

Chorus (Final – Chant Style)

Before I served

Before I broke

Before the smoke

Before the oath

He knew my name

He knew my face

I wasn’t earned

I was made by grace

Yeah the storm can take my medals

Take the best years of my life

But it can’t take who I was

Before I stepped in that line

Outro

Left foot, right foot, slow it down

Lay my rank in the ground

I ain’t what I did

I’m who He says I am