Scars Write the Truth

In the northeastern counties, the legacy continues. Army Pvt. Herman Davis of Manila (Mississippi County) stands as one of World War I’s most decorated enlisted soldiers, with an American Legion Post named in his honor. Despite initially being rejected for service because he stood just 5 feet 3 inches tall, Davis was drafted in 1918 and sent to the trenches of France.
Scars Write the Truth (Verse 1) Seventy-one years old, shrapnel in his head Four Purple Hearts, a nation’s debt unpaid He don’t want his name in lights, just wants the truth instead Of all the pretty promises and slogans that they’ve made He said “Don’t fake it, don’t you lie about what’s real” “Unselfishly put your country first, that’s how you love and feel” (Chorus) True patriotism ain’t a bumper sticker line It ain’t the flag you’re waving or the politics you’re spinnin’ this time It’s blood on the ground and a family line that carries on the fight It’s puttin’ everything you are between the dark and the light Yeah, the scars write the truth that the talkin’ never can True patriotism’s in the heart, not in the hand (Verse 2) His daddy served in Korea, his boy in Kandahar Three generations paid the price beneath the same old stars He watched the founders sign their names, they knew just what it cost Some died broke, some died alone, some got their honor lost He said “America’s always been great, don’t let ’em tell you lies” “It’s the fools who run her now that ain’t worth the alibis” (Chorus) True patriotism ain’t a bumper sticker line It ain’t the flag you’re waving or the politics you’re spinnin’ this time It’s blood on the ground and a family line that carries on the fight It’s puttin’ everything you are between the dark and the light Yeah, the scars write the truth that the talkin’ never can True patriotism’s in the heart, not in the hand (Bridge) His wife fought for his benefits when the system moved too slow He never raised his voice in rage, he just wanted you to know It’s not the hat upon your head, it’s what you’re willin’ to give It’s the kind of love that costs you everything you got to live (Final Chorus) True patriotism ain’t a slogan or a show It’s the quiet ones still standin’ when the mighty winds don’t blow It’s a fractured skull and hearin’ loss and migraines in the night It’s believin’ in your country when the leaders ain’t treatin’ you right Yeah, the scars write the truth that the talkin’ never can True patriotism’s in the heart, not in the hand (Outro) Don’t fake it… don’t lie about it… Just give… unselfishly…

(Verse 1)

Seventy-one years old, shrapnel in his head

Four Purple Hearts, a nation’s debt unpaid

He don’t want his name in lights, just wants the truth instead

Of all the pretty promises and slogans that they’ve made

He said “Don’t fake it, don’t you lie about what’s real”

“Unselfishly put your country first, that’s how you love and feel”

(Chorus)

True patriotism ain’t a bumper sticker line

It ain’t the flag you’re waving or the politics you’re spinnin’ this time

It’s blood on the ground and a family line that carries on the fight

It’s puttin’ everything you are between the dark and the light

Yeah, the scars write the truth that the talkin’ never can

True patriotism’s in the heart, not in the hand

(Verse 2)

His daddy served in Korea, his boy in Kandahar

Three generations paid the price beneath the same old stars

He watched the founders sign their names, they knew just what it cost

Some died broke, some died alone, some got their honor lost

He said “America’s always been great, don’t let ’em tell you lies”

“It’s the fools who run her now that ain’t worth the alibis”

(Chorus)

True patriotism ain’t a bumper sticker line

It ain’t the flag you’re waving or the politics you’re spinnin’ this time

It’s blood on the ground and a family line that carries on the fight

It’s puttin’ everything you are between the dark and the light

Yeah, the scars write the truth that the talkin’ never can

True patriotism’s in the heart, not in the hand

(Bridge)

His wife fought for his benefits when the system moved too slow

He never raised his voice in rage, he just wanted you to know

It’s not the hat upon your head, it’s what you’re willin’ to give

It’s the kind of love that costs you everything you got to live

(Final Chorus)

True patriotism ain’t a slogan or a show

It’s the quiet ones still standin’ when the mighty winds don’t blow

It’s a fractured skull and hearin’ loss and migraines in the night

It’s believin’ in your country when the leaders ain’t treatin’ you right

Yeah, the scars write the truth that the talkin’ never can

True patriotism’s in the heart, not in the hand

(Outro)

Don’t fake it… don’t lie about it…

Just give… unselfishly…

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