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"It's Our Job" |
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I wrote this song for Johnny Cash, but his warm
baritone voice stopped just as I finished the lyrics. I
didn't know Johnny, but felt I knew him. Everybody felt
they knew Johnny Cash. His warm no-nonsense personality
was recognized and embraced in all quadrants of America.
Nothing "elite" about Johnny. Everybody understood him.
Most everyone liked him. I felt compelled to write this
song because, like most Americans, I am touched,
thrilled and dismayed by the daily stories of
unqualified courage coming from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Raw courage from our brave, uncomplaining soldiers,
seamen and airmen who sum up their courage with the
simple eloquent answer: "It's My Job." |
There's a question goin round of late
Askin' folks to bare their souls and state
Just how they felt moments before
When faced with death in a horrible war.
It's a question tough
Tough to relive
But their answer is short
The one they give.
What were your thoughts?
Is the constant cry
What were your thoughts?
Did you think you'd die?
What were your thoughts?
Cameras shoved into victim's face
Media questions continue apace
What were your thoughts?
What were your thoughts?
Is the common cry
What did you think?
Did you think you'd die?
Everywhere the answer gave
Everywhere the answer brave
"It's just my job,"
The soldiers say
After another heroic day.
It's our job, the airmen say
Flying all night
Flying all day.
"It's our job," the Navy explains
Dismissing its wounds
Forgetting its pains
Only our job.
It's our job
Hard and lean
Semper Fi – answer the Marines
It's our job.
This is the answer
Their only reply
Our police, our firemen
Who serve – who die
This is the answer
"Just our job."
This is the job
Of Americans all
To stand up straight
To stand up tall.
To rise together
Hand in hand
To give our all
For our promised land.
And when questioned
Why they do
So much for the red
the white and the blue.
They answer it's just
To give to her
Who gave to us.
It's our job
They all say
Just our job – night and day
It's our job
For the U.S. of A!
Copyright
Written by Cliff Robertson
December 14, 2004 |
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