A Wall Never Will

Mm-hm, I was raised in the sticks, blue eyes and country charm
"Don't tread on me," inked on daddy's arm
Friday night lights and a six-pack of pride
Rebel flag in the yard but never asked why

Was told the world's black and white, had to choose a side
Then I shipped off to war, headed into the fight
Now I'm out in the sand with a soldier named Ray
He's got stories from Philly and one on the way
Met Maria from Jersey who prays every night
She's got an accent, but her heart knows the light

Love ain't a lesson, it's somethin' you feel
A bridge lets folks in but a wall never will

Heard a sermon once from a chaplain in white
With a turban on top, preached peace that felt right
Didn't know we were the same 'til we breathed the same dust
But I've got their backs now, and they've got my trust

Still out in the sand with my brother named Ray
His baby girl, Hope, just turned one yesterday
We lost Maria when a blast hit the road
Told me, "Never let hate in, let kindness steal the show"
Her voice slowly faded then her eyes closed
I whispered goodbye, then she let me know

Love ain't a lesson, it's somethin' you feel
A bridge lets folks in but a wall never will

I don't hate where I'm from, it gave me my start
But the world cracked open this country boy's heart
There's more to a man than the land he defends
It's the strangers he meets who turn into his friends

Now I'm back in the States, can't wait to get home
Wanna show my old man just how much I've grown
And that love isn't just something black or white
It shines through the hearts that stay open wide
I showed him pictures of all we went through
He took down the flag and covered his tattoo

Love ain't a lesson, it's somethin' you feel
A bridge lets folks in but a wall never will