Salute me goodnight

Boots by the door, dust on the floor

Dog tags clinkin’ like a knock on the war

Little Alexander with a toy in his hand

Tryna understand why his hero gotta stand

At attention when the country calls his name

While mama wipes tears, sayin’ “it’s the game”

But he don’t see a game, just the empty chair

At the dinner table, wishin’ dad was there

He learned how to be strong before he learned how to cry

Watched a flag wave different when his dad said goodbye

Countin’ down days like stars in the sky

Holdin’ onto letters just to feel him nearby

Salute me goodnight, I’ll be home someday

Through the miles and the silence, I’m not far away

Alexander, be brave, yeah I’m proud of you son

Even when I’m gone, you’re the reason I run

Through the storms, through the fight

You’re my reason to survive every night

So salute me goodnight, don’t you fear the unknown

No matter where I go, you’re never alone

First day of school, dad missed the bell

Teacher asked why, he just shrugged, “can’t tell”

Kids talk loud but they don’t understand

What it means when your hero’s in a far-off land

Drawing pictures of a man in green

With a smile so big but eyes unseen

He writes “I love you” in crooked lines

Hopes it makes it across enemy lines

He learned how to fight just to hide the pain

Turned quiet nights into pouring rain

Every birthday wish was the same refrain

“Just bring my dad back home again…”

Salute me goodnight, I’ll be home someday

Through the miles and the silence, I’m not far away

Alexander, be brave, yeah I’m proud of you son

Even when I’m gone, you’re the reason I run

Through the storms, through the fight

You’re my reason to survive every night

So salute me goodnight, don’t you fear the unknown

No matter where I go, you’re never alone

Years go by, now he’s standin’ tall

Same boots by the door, answerin’ the call

Looks in the mirror, sees his father’s eyes

Same sacrifice, same silent goodbyes

But now he knows what it really means

To carry a love through distant scenes

He whispers softly to the sky above…

“I finally understand your love.”

Salute me goodnight, I’m coming back home

Through the battles and scars, I was never alone

Alexander, you grew into more than I dreamed

You’re the strength in my heart, you’re my everything

Through the storms, through the fight

We both made it out into the light

So no more goodbyes, no more tears to hide

Just a father and son… standin’ side by side

Dog tags quiet, boots by the bed

No more letters left unread

Just a simple life, after all that fight…

And a final salute… goodnight.