What can you see from your window? I can't see anythin' from mine Flags on the side of the highway And scripture on grocery store signs
Maybe eighteen was too early Maybe thirty or forty is too Did you get your chance to make peace with the man Before He sent down his angels for you?
Mamas and grand mamas love you 'Cause that's all they know how to do You never planned on the bombs in the sand Or sleepin' in your dress blues
Your wife said this all would be funny When you got back home in a week Turn twenty two and we'd celebrate you In a bar or a tent by the creek
Your baby would just about be here And your very last tour would be up But you won't be back, they're all dressin' in black Drinkin' sweet tea in Styrofoam cups
Mamas and grand mamas love you American boys hate to lose You never planned on the bombs in the sand Or sleepin' in your dress blues
The high school gymnasium's ready Full of flowers and old Legionnaires Nobody showed up to protest Just sniffle and stare
There's red, white and blue in the rafters And there's silent old men from the Corps What did they say when they shipped you away To fight somebody's Hollywood war?
Nobody here could forget you You showed us what we had to lose You never planned on the bombs in the sand Or sleepin' in your dress blues You never planned on the bombs in the sand Or sleepin' in your dress blues
Read more: Jason Isbell - Dress Blues Lyrics | MetroLyrics