Duty, Honor, Courage

In 2007 I was asked to write a song to honor the Eden Prairie Fire Department. After going out with them on a fire run the first draft of Duty, Honor, Courage, was written. The song remained unfinished until 2009, when I visited Ground Zero.

Duty, Honor, Courage

Here’s to the people who put out the fires
Who fall into line, seem never to tire
In helmets of white, red, yellow, and black
When they go in might never come back
Walking through fire when danger is near
To give their life year after year
With a water-hose,as a life line
Never to leave their buddy behind

Duty, Honor, Courage

We cannot summon the rain
Nor make the wind blow
But we can raise up a fire
Know your way out, stop, drop, and roll.

First responders and EMT’s
Neighbors, classmates, and family
Soon to go in to the base of that tower
Everything in life has a golden hour
Suicide, stroke, a heart attack
A Senator in a plane crash
Surrounded by flames above a crib
A fire fighter now holding him

Duty, Honor, Courage
We are in trouble down here
There’s blood in the dirt
Looking up to the sky
For help on this earth

Please don’t hide under your bed
Crawl low and go to stars overhead
With your family away from harm
Change those batteries in your fire alarm
Train like a team, no time to freelance
Nobody’s life should be left to chance
Count to five when you’re in a rush
Give thanks to those in them fire trucks

Duty, Honor, Courage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download