The Drums Roll Low
This is not Bruce Springsteen. Any similarity is coincidence from AI amalgamation. It is meant to be in the style of Bruce Springsteen however. It is homage.
The lyrics are not AI.
Intro
Verse 1
They wore the uniform with pride, they knew what honor meant
They stood their watch out in the cold where the winters bite and bent
You learn to trust the guy beside you, look him in the eye
They swore an oath to something higher underneath the sky
They weren't looking for a medal, they weren't looking for applause
They just believed the uniform was serving up a cause
But down in Washington they changed the rules of what it means
They turned a sacred calling right into a slot machine
Pre-Chorus
Oh, they want a trillion-dollar blank check, they want a corporate war
While the barracks leak and veterans are sleeping on the floor
They trade that sacred service for a line upon their stock—
And they wrap their greed in flags while the foundations rock!
Chorus
Now the drums roll low for the boys who answered right!
While the contractors cash their checks in the corporate night!
You can love the uniform, you can honor what it gave—
But don't you dare build your empire on a soldier's early grave!
Yeah, they carried the weight when the line was drawn ahead—
Now we're fighting for the truth while the honor's being bled!
Verse 2
There’s a difference between service and the bloat of the machine
Between a kid from Yakima and a boardroom limousine
You see the generals talking metrics on the evening news
While the families back at home are struggling to pay their dues
They got unlimited billions for a shiny new display
While the VA clinics crumble and the veterans fade away
They still respect the uniform, they still believe the oath—
But you can't love this country and be looting it both!
Pre-Chorus
Oh, they want a trillion-dollar blank check, they want a corporate war
While the barracks leak and veterans are sleeping on the floor
They trade that sacred service for a line upon their stock—
And they wrap their flags in profit while the working country's locked!
Chorus
Now the drums roll low for the boys who answered right!
While the contractors cash their checks in the corporate night!
You can love the uniform, you can honor what it gave—
But don't you dare build your empire on a soldier's early grave!
Yeah, they carried the weight when the line was drawn ahead—
Now we're fighting for the truth while the honor's being bled!
Bridge
And what do you say to a twenty-year-old coming home with a broken frame?
When the men who signed the checks won't even say his name?
Is that your patriotism? Is that your shining might?
To bloat the budget higher while the troops are left to fight?
Well, hand me the truth, hand me the banner, hand me the heavy cost—
We’re gonna take back our service from the empires we crossed!
Final Chorus
Now the drums roll low for the boys who answered right!
While the contractors cash their checks in the corporate night!
You can love the uniform, you can honor what it gave—
But don't you dare build your empire on a soldier's early grave!
Yeah, they carried the weight when the line was drawn ahead—
Now we're fighting for the truth while the honor's being bled!
Outro
Honor the service!
Cut the bloat!
Give our troops what they need!
Stop selling out the uniform!