I Was There When

Lyrics

Verse 1
I was there when the gates shook
Dust on my mouth, blood on my hands
We took the hill with split shields
One step more, on broken sand
Brother beside me, shoulder to shoulder
No one turned when the arrows came down
We learned the weight of a promise
When the sun went cold on the ground

Pre-Chorus
Stand, stand
Hear the line hold firm
Stand, stand
Let the fear burn off
If I fall here
Name my sons by my scars
If I fall here
Tell them we went hard

Chorus
I was there when
We held the line
I was there when
We chose the fire
Raise me up
In iron and dust
We die like men
We live in trust
(I was there when)
(I was there when)

Verse 2
Sleep was a thief with a hollow grin
We met him with our shields high
Bread was scarce, but the vow stayed full
And the grave kept a close eye
Old wounds sang in the morning
New ones opened by night
Still we laughed with cracked teeth
Still we marched into the fight

Pre-Chorus
Stand, stand
Hear the old drum call
Stand, stand
Till the shadows crawl
If I break here
Pick my spear from the ash
If I break here
Let the record last

Chorus
I was there when
We held the line
I was there when
We chose the fire
Raise me up
In iron and dust
We die like men
We live in trust
(I was there when)
(I was there when)

Bridge
Take my name
Carve it deep
Not for praise
For what we keep
Every friend
Every grave
Every oath
That made us brave
half-time surge
Hear us rise
Through the smoke
One last breath
One last stroke

Final Chorus
I was there when
We held the line
I was there when
We chose the fire
Raise me up
In iron and dust
We die like men
We live in trust
I was there when
The night bent low
I was there when
We would not go
(I was there when)
(I was there when)