Christmas in Baghdad

Standing behind the cannon fire
During the most intensive hour
It feels like thunder underneath
Shaking their lives, Shaking their streets
And on the darkly painted clouds
Flashing light, exploding shells
And ever since we came here
We've got further from ourselves

And as my shots ring through the air
Recoil and heat beside my ear
My tracers meet with where I stare
Two men have died because I'm here
And everything I've done
Won't justify your reason
Now my hands are stained
And I can't wash away the treason

So what am I supposed to say when we come home empty handed
And nothing you had planned justified the end?
What am I supposed to say when I call my best friend's parents
And tell them how I watched their son die the other day?

So time moves on
Although it barely shows
And right or wrong
I still had to go
And whether I will make it out alive I just don't know
Plus my odds are getting worse as their resistance grows

'Cause when it's gone it's forever
I should etch these words in stone
Leave them sinking in the past
Turn my back and walk alone
I'll walk away as one tear will fall for memories
That are playing like a broken record, screaming for release

(In my mind)
I can't hide 'cause it's burned in my eyes from the bombs and the flames and the flash in the skies
(I ask why)
We need this to survive, Why do we need this to survive?
(Why I tried)
Why I tried to hide, disguise the fact I'll never make it out alive
(Why they lied)
Why we followed right along, taken by our souls, turn our back when something's wrong

In my mind
I ask why
Why I tried
Why they lied
And we followed right along, 'cause we're taken by our souls, turn our back when something's wrong

So what am I supposed to say when we come home empty handed
And nothing you had planned justified the end?
What am I supposed to say when I call my best friend's parents
And tell them how I watched their son die the other day?