From A Distance

[Verse 1: Locksmith]
Hello son, this is daddy and I miss you
There hasn't been a night that I don't wish that I was wit' you
But I'm stationed overseas plantin' seeds to fulfill us
Protectin' our country from evil men that want to kill us
At least that's what they told me when I signed up
Provide us with a step on the social ladder to climb up
Money for college and a job in the sciences
A brand new career and a house filled with appliances
What I'm implying is: I've been trying to improve our situation
And lift us out the Lion's den
I was hard-pressed
I figured I could better my family and serve my country in the process
But I could never be an absentee parent
You're my only reason for being, and that's apparent
If I don't make it back at least you could be proud
Your dad died a hero, how does that sound?
But your mamma don't agree with our leaders, claimin' they liars
They force poor people to fight and put out fires
That they start, won't take part but give orders
Shipped home overnight across fictional borders
And they ain't got a draft no more, we volunteer
Classism is the draft and we on the bottom tier
And I don't see none of their kids in the crosshairs
Look across here, all of us starving for our share
Right back inside this hostile feud
Tryin' to unwrap what's facts, there's lots to prove
I see it clear now, I'm not confused
Every time we go to war, there's a reservoir of fossil fuels
They try to block my view and say that it's for liberty
The more I see the more I question it's validity
And this is no plea, no pitch for sympathy
This is me warning you if you should ever mimic me
And even if I make it back
There's no tellin' what I'm inhaling, the chemicals, and how they react
If your Pappap was here he'd testify
The gulf war, we sprayed our own troops with pesticides
The nerve damage it did and how it was hid
Neurotoxins indoctrines in which we live
Interrogation methods, hidden from any records
We all knew about, still pretend to reject it
They say a lie leaves a stench, and this thing reeks
Plus I haven't seen your face in sixteen weeks
I can sense a cover up, but if this thing leaks
The next time you see dad, I might be six feet deep
Red, white and blue on top of a great coffin
Inside, a brown body and it happens quite often
I hope it's all worth it and serves a greater purpose
But for now, this is "So long, son", 'til I resurface
Goodbye

[Chorus: Martin Luther McCoy]
My star-spangled-views
Give me red, white and blues
Take a walk in my shoes
(Walk in my shoes) In my shoes
If I don't make it home
Keep your hand on the chrome
But you knew all along
I was doing this for you
My star-spangled-views
Give me red, white and blues
Take a walk in my shoes
(Walk in my shoes) In my shoes
If I don't make it home
Keep your hand on the chrome
But you knew all along
I was doing this for you

[Verse 2: Martin Luther McCoy]
Don't look for me
I'm already dead
Things have always been what they are
Just know that I care
Ohh
Don't look for me
I'm already dead
Things have always been what they are
Just know that I care

[Chorus]
My star-spangled-views
Give me red, white and blues
Take a walk in my shoes
(Walk in my shoes) In my shoes
If I don't make it home
Keep your hand on the chrome
But you knew all along
I was doing this for you