We were here blowing out birthday cakes
Riding our bikes, jumping in lakes
Feeling butterflies on our first dates
And stealing our old man's beer
We were here back home in the home of the brave
But the brave ain't home, they're an ocean away
Doing their job, keeping us safe
While we were here
They were there, fighting back on the front lines
Strapping up their boots before the sunrise
Keeping their mamas up all night in fear
They were there in the name of a hometown
Of a last name that was passed down
Every day, every night, every moment we were here
They were there
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
They were there
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
We were here saying the Pledge of Allegiance
Repeating those words, not knowing their meaning
Taking for granted all our freedoms
In the land of the free
We were here ******** about minimum wage
Splitting ourselves into red and blue states
And still sat down, hot food on the plate
Yeah, while we were here
They were there, fighting back on the front lines
Strapping up their boots before the sunrise
Keeping their mamas up all night in fear
They were there in the name of a hometown
Of a last name that was passed down
Every day, every night, every moment we were here
They were there
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
They were there
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
They were there
Giving everything they got
Yeah, they were there
Some came home in a pinewood box
With those stars and stripes on top
They were there, fighting back on the front lines
Strapping up their boots before the sunrise
Keeping their mamas up all night in fear
They were there in the name of a hometown
Of a last name that was passed down
Every day, every night, every moment we were here
They were there
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
They were there
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)