Ryan Goodwin

ENG 2800

In a hallowed hall, we cast aside the name recruit

And on that day, professed our love, for family and country
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A devotion that cannot be broken, a love bound in war
Only nineteen- but still I stand by my love for family and country
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Raise your hand, repeat the words, and profess your loyalty
And declare here, before all creation, your love for family and country
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Cut your hair, run the course, and fold that uniform neatly
As you dream of the day you fight for your love of family and country
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Across the sea, in a dessert of despair, you make a stand
Because they told you its for family and country
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A faceless enemy, death buried under the rubbish
On that narrow road where you died for family and country
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Over a flag draped casket, the priest recites a prayer
As the families mourn the man who died for family and country
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And another will come to take the place
Of those who sacrificed for family and country
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A cycle unbroken, of the young and brave
Who will stand and fight for family and country
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But when the last one falls, and no more come to call
Who will then fight for family and country?
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It is not despair or anger we feel
We know when we fight, it is for our family and country
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But do not our lives throw away
Over politics that ruin our family and country
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Instead, let us be at peace, ready for war
That we may instead live for our family and country.