21 Steps

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**[Intro] (soft)(acoustic guitar) (distant wind)** Morning lays its light across Those endless fields of stone, Names and dates beneath the grass, But none of them alone. And on the marble, through the rain, Through summer, snow, and dark, A soldier takes his measured place To walk the sacred watch. **[Verse 1]** Twenty-one steps across the stone, Every heel placed true, Twenty-one seconds standing still, Like generations do. He turns and faces to the east, Twenty-one more pass, Then north toward those who sleep beneath The green Virginia grass. He shifts his rifle carefully Away from those at rest, Then twenty-one steps back again, With duty in his chest. No hurried stride, no wandering eyes, No matter who may see, Because this isn't ceremony— It's a soldier's promise kept eternally. **[Chorus]** So walk your twenty-one, soldier, Let every footstep say, *"You gave your life for all of us— I'll guard your rest today."* Through thunder rolling over stone, Through winter's bitter cold, Through summer heat and midnight rain, The watch will still be held. And somewhere beyond that marble white, Where fallen warriors stand, A thousand spirits whisper low— *"Thank you, brother... We've got peace because you stand."* **[Verse 2]** (Distant funeral) ["Taps" played] Down another road in Arlington, A flag moves through the trees, A family follows silently, Brought trembling to their knees. A chaplain speaks a soldier's name, Then silence fills the air, While folded stars and stripes become The weight a family bears. But at the Tomb, the Sentinel Does not break his stride. Twenty-one steps. Twenty-one seconds. Turn. Twenty-one. Then— **[Distant Rifle Detail]** *Crack.* *Crack.* *Crack.* Seven rifles answer heaven, Three volleys through the sky, Twenty-one reports of honor For another laid nearby. The echoes roll through Arlington And fade among the stones... But the Sentinel keeps walking. Because none of them are alone. **[Chorus]** Walk your twenty-one, soldier, Let every footstep say, *"You gave your life for all of us— I'll guard your rest today."* Through presidents and passing years, Through wars both lost and won, Until America forgets the names Of battles long since done. Still somewhere beyond that marble white, The Unknown Soldiers stand, Watching every measured step... And whisper, *"Thank you for the watch, my friend."* **[Bridge — Instruments fall nearly silent]** Then a bugle breathes... And everything grows still. **[TAPS — distant bugle]** No drums. No words. Just twenty-four notes floating over Arlington. A mother closes trembling eyes. A father bows his head. A folded flag changes hands for the one they'll never hold again. And even the Sentinel, behind that disciplined face, hears every note. But he walks. Twenty-one steps. Because grief deserves a guardian. Because sacrifice deserves remembrance. Because somewhere beneath those stones are men and women who once stood watch too. **[Spirit Voices — faint, almost carried by the wind]** *"We were young once..."* *"We had families..."* *"We were afraid too..."* *"We went anyway..."* *"Tell them we loved them..."* *"Tell them we came home..."* *"And soldier..."* *"Thank you for guarding us."* **[Final Chorus — Full country instrumentation, restrained choir]** Walk your twenty-one, soldier, Beneath the stars and sun, For every unknown warrior Whose earthly fight is done. Twenty-one steps for sacrifice, Twenty-one seconds still, A rifle resting on the shoulder, A heart of iron will. And when another flag is folded, And another bugle cries, Stand watch beneath that Arlington moon While freedom's heroes rise. For they may have no names upon The Tomb where they now lie, But they were someone's child once, Someone's love... Someone's reason why. **[Final Refrain — Quiet]** Twenty-one steps... Twenty-one seconds... Turn. Twenty-one... And walk again. Rain or snow. Day or night. War or peace. The Sentinel remains. **[Outro — acoustic guitar and distant Taps]** And if you listen when the night wind Moves across that sacred land, You might hear the Unknown whisper... *"Rest easy, America.* *We are not alone.* *The Guard still stands."*