Story Behind The Song
Wrote this song to give a shout out to all US military men and women -- those who have served and those who continue to serve -- we care about what you're feeling and we support you over there and back here at home. Live to tell, brothers.
Song Description
Tried to put into words what can't be put into words. Tried to feel what has numbed so many. Tried to speak what can't be spoken in any way that makes sense. Best I could do not having been through it myself.
| Song Length |
4:56 |
Genre |
Rock - Americana, Country - Rock |
| Tempo |
Non 4/4 |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Troubled, Moving |
Subject |
War, Armed Forces |
| Similar Artists |
Johnny Cash, Toby Keith |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
What did you do in the war, daddy?
What did you do in the war?
What did you do in the war, daddy?
What did you do in the war?
I dropped some bombs from way over head
On somebody else's shore
I shot at the enemy until they were dead
That's what I did in the war, sonny
That's what I did in the war
What did you see in the war, daddy?
What did you see in the war?
What did you see in the war, daddy?
What did you see in the war?
I saw young soldiers losing their lives
And not really knowing what for
They orphaned their children and widowed their wives
That's what I saw in the war, honey
That's what I saw in the war
Who did you kill in the war, daddy?
Who did you kill in the war?
Who did you kill in the war, daddy?
Who did you kill in the war?
I killed some people that I never met
Just so we could even the score
But some of their faces I'll never forget
That's who I killed in the war, sonny
That's who I killed in the war
Why did you fight in the war, daddy?
Why did you fight in the war?
Why did you fight in the war, daddy?
Why did you fight in the war?
I fought 'cus the government told me to fight
For reasons they kept obscure
They told us that what we were doing was right
That's why I fought in the war, honey
That's why I fought in the war
How do you feel about war now, daddy?
How do you feel about war?
How do you feel about war now, daddy?
How do you feel about war?
I wish I could tell you your daddy was proud
For keeping his country secure
But all I can think of is all of the innocent victims
And friends, and brothers, and husbands
And fathers and sons
That aren't with us any more
And that, yeah, that's what I did in the war.