I Came Back Wearing Ghosts

Lyrics: [Intro] I left with a sword and a prayer. I came back with neither. Only the weight. [Verse] The road home knows my footsteps, But it does not know my face. I wear the same old body, But it hangs on me like chain. My shield is split and broken. My armor does not shine. The healers closed the wounds, But they left the war inside. [Pre-Chorus] They rang the bells for victory. They poured the bitter wine. They called us brave and blessed by gods, And said the dawn was kind. But I have seen what dawn reveals When smoke begins to clear. And every cheer that rises now Sounds like someone disappeared. [Chorus] I came back wearing ghosts, With ashes in my hands. I gave my blood for banners I no longer understand. I crossed the fields of thunder. I crawled through blade and flame. I lived when better souls fell down, And I cannot bear my name. So do not call me hero. Do not carve me into stone. I came back from the war, But I did not come home. [Verse 2] There is mud beneath my dreaming. There is iron in my sleep. There are voices in the doorway Of the promises I keep. I remember every young face That vanished in the rain. I remember begging heaven, And hearing none reply again. The priests say wounds are lessons. The captains call it cost. But they do not wake at midnight Counting every friend they lost. [Pre-Chorus] I have knelt before the altar. I have cursed the empty sky. I have asked the gods for mercy. I have asked them why. But silence sits beside me Like a brother, cold and near. And every cup I lift at night Tastes of smoke and fear. [Chorus] I came back wearing ghosts, With ashes in my hands. I gave my blood for banners I no longer understand. I crossed the fields of thunder. I crawled through blade and flame. I lived when better souls fell down, And I cannot bear my name. So do not call me hero. Do not carve me into stone. I came back from the war, But I did not come home. [Bridge] If I could trade this breath I kept For one I watched depart, I would lay my medals in the dirt And tear them from my heart. If I could give my good hand back To lift a fallen friend, I would break what little life I have And spend it all again. But the dead do not bargain. The past does not bend. The road keeps going forward, Though I cannot see the end. [Final Chorus] I came back wearing ghosts, With ashes in my hands. I gave my blood for banners I no longer understand. I crossed the fields of thunder. I crawled through blade and flame. I lived when better souls fell down, And I am still here with their names. So do not call me hero. Let me grieve down to the bone. I came back from the war, But I did not come home. [Final refrain] No, I did not come home. Not whole. Not clean. All alone.