The Only Home I’ve Known

Inspired by The Killer’s “Battle Born,” with an homage to Elton John’s “Rocket Man” thrown in for good measure.

Born in the second battle for New Orleans
Under the overpass, where the towers still lean
They cut out my soul, but it’s in my blood
It’s the heart of a warrior, where there once was love
And it’s okay to run and hide, as I make my stand to fight
These drums of war are my lullaby as I traverse this sweet goodnight

Don’t cry for me, I’m not lonely
I’ve got all the friends I need
I’m driving armored cars down boulevards on streets that seem to bleed
Got my first taste of fighting when I was just 12-years-old
I could shoot straight and cold
She may look like hell, but it’s the only home I’ve known

There’s this faded billboard three clicks south of town
There’s a boy with a leather glove, and a man throwing a ball around
Maybe it’s wrong, but their smiles make me sad
I’ll never be that little boy, I’ll never be that dad
But when the smoke-filled sunset turns this world Mars red
I know my son is better off, this is no place to raise a kid

And when the bombs fall, I’m gonna stand tall
I’m gonna give ‘em all I got
And this battle-scarred, man child of war
Burn like a thunder star
And if I make it home or not, tis beautiful

So don’t cry for me, I’m not lonely
I’ve got all the friends I need
I’m driving armored cars down boulevards on streets that seem to bleed
Got my first taste of fighting when I was just 12-years-old
I could shoot straight and cold
She may look like hell
She may smell like hell
Hell, this may be hell, but it’s the only home I’ve known