Old Dog, Old Soldier

Verse 1

He left home young with a pack on his back

A flag on his shoulder and a train on the track

He said, "I'll be home when the fighting is done."

But the years kept rolling like a midnight gun

He gave them his youth, gave them blood, gave them time

Gave up every dream for somebody else's life

And when he came back, there was nobody there

Just an empty front porch and a cold wooden chair

Pre-Chorus

Now, the years have left their stories on his face

And he carries every mile like a suitcase

Chorus

Now, it's just him and an old dog

Two tired hearts still walking on

Sleeping underneath the streetlights

Waking up before the dawn

He gave his life to keep us safe

But somewhere along the way

He lost his home, he lost his family

But that old dog stayed

Verse 2

They move from town to town when the weather lets them

He rolls his old coat while the dog sleeps beside him

A cardboard mattress underneath the stars

His whole world carried in a beat-up cart

Sometimes people pass without looking his way

Sometimes somebody stops and has something to say

He just tips his hat and says, "We're doing alright,"

Then scratches that old dog

Underneath the streetlight

Pre-Chorus

He doesn't talk much about the war anymore

Some battles follow you long after the war

Chorus

Now, it's just him and an old dog

Two tired hearts still walking on

Sleeping underneath the streetlights

Waking up before the dawn

He gave his life to keep us safe

But somewhere along the way

He lost his home, he lost his family

But that old dog stayed

Yeah, that old dog stayed

Verse 3

The dog has a gray around his muzzle

The soldier's hair is turning white

They don't have much between them

But they share the same blanket at night

When thunder rolls, the old dog gets scared

And the soldier pulls him close and says,

"Don't worry, boy, I'm right here,"

Like someone once told him years

Bridge

Maybe heroes don't always get a parade

Maybe some sacrifices never get repaid

Maybe the ones who give the most

Are the ones who have the least to show

But every morning when the sun comes through

That old dog opens his eyes and looks at him too

And for a little while, on that patch of ground

Neither one of them is lost or alone

Final Chorus

It's just him and an old dog

Two old souls still moving on

Following the highway

Till the night gives way to dawn

He gave his youth, he gave his years

Gave more than he could say

He lost his home, he lost his family

But that old dog stayed

Yeah, when the whole world walked away

That old dog stayed

Outro

So, if you see them by the roadside

Don't just drive on by

There's a lifetime in that old man's eyes

And a good dog by his side

He may not have a house to call home

Or a family waiting at the door

But for one more mile down that lonely road

He doesn't have to walk alone