Old Guard, Standing Watch

[Verse 1]
Sun comes up over Arlington
He’s lacing boots in a quiet room
Presses every single corner of that flag
Like it’s made of something he can’t lose
Stone-white steps, same slow stride
Rain or shine, he walks that line
Back and forth on borrowed time
For a name we’ll never find
[Chorus]
Old Guard, standing watch
Forty paces, hearts in lockstep
For the ones we lost, the ones we’ll never know
Every click of heel
Says, “You’re not alone”
He’s the face they never had, under stars on his shoulder
Old Guard, guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier
[Verse 2]
Tourists whisper, kids ask why
Mama points and just says, “Pride”
He don’t blink at thunder in July
He’s learned to stare straight through the sky
Letters folded in his chest
From a buddy who didn’t make it west
He walks for him, and all the rest
In that silence, giving thanks
[Chorus]
Old Guard, standing watch
Forty paces, hearts in lockstep
For the ones we lost, the ones we’ll never know
Every click of heel
Says, “You’re not alone”
He’s the face they never had, under stars on his shoulder
Old Guard, guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier
[Bridge]
One day he’ll hang up that coat
Lay down the weight of that oath
But he’ll hear that gravel underfoot
Every time the wind blows
And somewhere in a small-town yard
Faded names under carved-out stars
He’ll know they’re seen, they’re held, they’re honored
Every time he touched that marble
[Chorus]
Old Guard, standing watch
Forty paces, hearts in lockstep
For the ones we lost, the ones we’ll never know
Every click of heel
Says, “You’re not alone”
He’s the face they never had, under stars on his shoulder
Old Guard, guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier

country, Modern country ballad with male vocals; warm acoustic guitars and subtle pedal steel over a steady, soft kit. Verses stay intimate and story-driven, bass tucked under the vocal; chorus swells with stacked harmonies and a lift in the drums. Subtle organ pad in the bridge, big emotional arc, radio-ready mix with a tear-in-the-throat delivery., heartfelt