Heroes

[Verse 1]
They threw him a party
The day that he got home
Oh, and they called him a hero
But he felt all alone
Surrounded by his family
And all his friends but one
Oh, he lost him in that country
To a buried roadside bomb
When his dad stood up and said
"Our hero has returned"
He looked down at his scars and his purple heart and said
"Dad, you know that hurts"

[Chorus]
'Cause I don't mean to not sound grateful
'Cause the good Lord knows I am
For sparing me my life
On the day He took my friend
But I still wish that I had gone with him
Or maybe even took his place
Oh, but destiny didn't lead me that way
So I'm not tryin' to say you're wrong
But heroes ain't the ones who make it home

[Verse 2]
Well, he said Danny had a daughter
He'll never get to see
And I know that he was proud
He was only twenty-three
And they gave me this medal
Pinned it on my uniform
But this piece of tin don't mean a thing
No, if it can't bring him home

[Chorus]
So I don't mean to not sound grateful
'Cause the good Lord knows I am
For sparing me my life
On the day He took my friend
But I still wish that I had gone with him
Or maybe even took his place
Oh, but destiny didn't lead me that way
I'm not tryin' to say you're wrong
But heroes ain't the ones who make it home, oh

[Outro]
I don't mean to not sound grateful
'Cause the good Lord knows I am
For sparing me my life
On the day He took my friends
But I still wish that I had gone with them
Every day I take their place
Oh, but destiny didn't lead me that way
So I'm not tryin' to say you're wrong (Yes I am)
'Cause heroes ain't the ones who make it home
No, heroes ain't the ones who make it home