Desert Baptized

Lyrics

[Hook – Country Style] Joined up young just to prove ‘em wrong Thought I was tough, thought I was strong Then the towers fell and the game got real From boots to blood, I learned to feel Desert heat, rounds flyin’ fast I lost my youth, but I found my path You don’t come back the same inside Once you’ve been baptized in the desert ride --- [Verse 1 – Rap] 18, full of pride and rage Signed that line, turned a page Said “I’m done with the street life, time to grow” Uncle Sam said, “Let’s see what you know” Three months in, world hit the flame 9/11 came, nothin’ was the same Infantry blues, chip still there But the mission now cut through the air Pushin' through pain in Georgia mud Learned to love sweat, tears, and blood Drill sergeant yellin’, boots on the line But I was built for war—I was ready to shine --- [Hook – Country Style] Joined up young just to prove ‘em wrong Thought I was tough, thought I was strong Then the towers fell and the game got real From boots to blood, I learned to feel Desert heat, rounds flyin’ fast I lost my youth, but I found my path You don’t come back the same inside Once you’ve been baptized in the desert ride --- [Verse 2 – Rap] Fast forward to that March day heat ‘03, boots deep in Iraqi streets March 23, I saw a man fall Pulled that trigger, felt nothin’ at all First kill, yeah it shook my soul But in that fight, you play your role Can’t freeze up when the rounds come in You pray to God, and count your sins April 2, hit the ambush trap Five-hour fight, couldn’t fight back Ammo low, just me and my boys Laughin' through hell, blockin’ the noise Lost some friends, gained some ghosts Burned like fire, haunts me most But I came out a different man Desert made me what I am --- [Hook – Country Style] Joined up young just to prove ‘em wrong Thought I was tough, thought I was strong Then the towers fell and the game got real From boots to blood, I learned to feel Desert heat, rounds flyin’ fast I lost my youth, but I found my path You don’t come back the same inside Once you’ve been baptized in the desert ride --- [Bridge – Spoken or Sung Gritty Line] You don’t know pain ‘til you see a brother fall You don’t know peace ‘til you’ve walked through it all --- [Final Hook – Strong Delivery] I joined to change, and Lord I did Left that boy, came back a kid Wiser, harder, eyes don’t lie Seen too much to live a lie Now I wear that patch with pride But I’ll always carry what I had to hide You don’t come back the same inside Once you’ve been baptized in the desert ride