Lyrics

Boots on the driveway
Dust on your name tag
You smile like you’re still eighteen
Keys on the counter
Dog going crazy
I’m shaking like I’m in a dream

I counted the headlines
I circled the dates
I folded your letters in prayer
Now you’re in my doorway
Heart in your duffel
I swear I can finally breathe air

Raise that flag on the front porch higher
Let it catch that evening sky
You’re home
My hero
My heartbeat
My fighter
I can taste the tears I cried

All that weight falls off my shoulders
Like a pack dropped in the yard
You’re back
You’re back
And the world feels smaller
But my love’s ten times as large

Dinner’s still steaming
You laugh at the silence
You say
“Guess I made it
I’m here”
I trace every new scar
Like lines on a roadmap
You earned every one of ‘em
Dear

Neighbors are cheering
Cars start to slow down
Kids wave in the glow of the dusk
You stand a little straighter
Hand on your chest now
I see the pride under the dust

Raise that flag on the front porch higher
Let it dance in red and white
You’re home
My hero
My heartbeat
My fighter
You outran the darkest nights

All that weight falls off my shoulders
Like the pack you used to haul
You’re back
You’re back
And this grateful country
Wraps you in a thunderous call

I was sleeping in boots by the front door
(waiting)
Phone on loud every night
Now I’m wrapped in your arms in the kitchen
(laughing)
Windows wide
Porch light bright

For every mile you marched out there
I’ll walk beside you here
In the land you fought to carry home
I can finally lose my fear
(oh yeah)

So raise that flag on the front porch higher
Let it shine in blue and stars
You’re home
My hero
My heartbeat
My fighter
Right here in these open arms

All that weight falls off our shoulders
Hits the ground and turns to dust
You’re back
You’re back
And this free-up feeling
Is a promise we can trust

Raise that flag on the front porch higher
(higher)
Let the whole town sing along
You’re home
My hero
My heartbeat
My fighter
You’re the proof that hope stays strong

All that weight falls off our shoulders
Like a shadow at first light
You’re back
You’re back
And this home
This country
Holds you in its arms tonight
(you’re back)