Dust on My Boots

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Rolled in on a bus With my duffel and my name Mama on the porch Acting like she knows my pain I said I’m fine, I’m fine But my hands won’t stay still Every truck backfires And I flinch against my will [Pre-Chorus] I keep my boots by the bed Like they owe me a war I hear sand in the hall When the house settles poor Don’t ask me what I saw I can’t line it in a row I came home breathing But I came home slow [Chorus] I’m a broken soldier Back on American soil I’m a broken soldier Still carrying the noise Hold me up, hold me down I don’t know where to go I’m a broken soldier And I’m coming home [Verse 2] The grocery aisle went white When a can hit the floor I was back in the dust With the sky ripped open more Little boy in a red cap Looked right through my chest I had to grip the cart hard Just to keep my breath My brother said, “You’re lucky” I stared at his rings He don’t know what luck is When it hides in burning things My girl keeps the lamp on Says, “Baby, eat your plate” But I keep seeing headlights And the shape of a gate [Pre-Chorus] I keep my boots by the bed Like they owe me a war I hear sand in the hall When the house settles poor Don’t ask me what I saw I can’t line it in a row I came home breathing But I came home slow [Chorus] I’m a broken soldier Back on American soil I’m a broken soldier Still carrying the noise Hold me up, hold me down I don’t know where to go I’m a broken soldier And I’m coming home [Bridge] I was twenty-two and wild With a rifle and a grin Now I jump at the slamming door And I can’t sleep in Some nights I swear I’m there With the heat and the dust Some nights I’m here with you Trying not to bust [Final Chorus] I’m a broken soldier Back on American soil I’m a broken soldier Still carrying the noise Hold me up, hold me down I don’t know where to go I’m a broken soldier And I’m coming home I’m a broken soldier With a heart too torn to fold I’m a broken soldier Trying to get old Hold me up, hold me down Till the fear lets go I’m a broken soldier And I’m coming home