C-17 hum in my bones

Dust on every thought I own

Came back home with a brand-new name

"Thank you, hero"

but I don't feel the same

Your porch light cuts through the dark

My shadow jumps like tracer arcs

You say "It's over" with your hand on mine

But my head's still stuck

on Afghan time

War is over

but it lives in me

Every hallway

turns to Nangarhar streets

You pull me closer

say "You're safe, just breathe"

War is over

but it lives in me

It lives in me

Gas station coffee at 3 a.m.

Back to the wall

count exits again

Kid drops a toy

I hit the floor

Hear a metal clang

I'm back on tour

Sand in my boots that I can't shake free

Smell of burned diesel in my sheets

You roll to your side

try to anchor my hands

When I wake swinging

at invisible men (I'm sorry)

War is over

but it lives in me

Fireworks popping

feel like RPGs

You whisper "baby

it's the Fourth, just see"

War is over

but it lives in me

It lives in me

I got names on my tongue

I don't say out loud

I see them in the mirror

standing in the crowd

War is over

but it lives in me

Family photos

frame who I should be

You kiss my forehead

say "Come back to sleep"

War is over

but it lives in me

Yeah, the war's over

but it lives in me