Story Behind The Song
The scenes of National Guardsmen leaving to go to Iraq on television news inspired me to pay tribute to their "worst sacrifice" that they endure willingly for their country and to defend freedom.
Song Description
The Inspiration for The Worst Sacrifice came from seeing scenes of National Guardsmen from my home state leaving for Iraq to fight the war on terror. I wanted to convey what I thought their thoughts were about leaving their homes and the United States for
| Song Length |
5:04 |
Genre |
Country - Alternative, Country - General |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Moving, Composed |
Subject |
War, Sadness |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
(Verse 1)
Being their oldest was not always easy,
But their love and direction made me a man.
When I told them I wanted to serve my country,
You said: we?re proud of you son, do the best that you can.
(Chorus)
Going off to war in a foreign country.
Defending the land of the brave and the free.
A tearful goodbye before the long lonely flight.
Leaving your family?s the worst sacrifice.
(Verse 2)
I vowed to love and protect her forever,
But she knew my job might call me away.
Now that it?s happened she hopes that we?ll never
be strangers to each other on some distant day.
Repeat Chorus
(Verse 3)
He was born one month before my call to duty,
And I considered him the best thing that I?d ever done.
But now I?ll miss all the joys of his infancy,
and there is nothing that?ll ever make up for it, son.
Repeat Chorus
(Bridge)
The flags are all waving,
and the band is playing,
on a day that is heartsick but proud as well.
The soldiers are hailing,
while the babies are wailing,
soon the families will send their G.I.?s off to hell.
(Verse 4)
My parents, my wife and my newborn baby
were all counting on me to be there for them.
But my country is calling me now to duty,
to fight the war on terror and deliver freedom.
Repeat Chorus
Repeat Chorus
End