They were my men, they were my friendsWe shared breakfast in bunks, demons in trucksAnd pictures of our wife and kidsIt was a beautiful day, almost didn't feel like hellWe were laughing and cracking jokesIn the trail of smoke before the sky fellWe missed a right turn at the wrong timeWe were on Afghan dirt, it was an American mindThe day I laid my gun downYeahYeahPicked up the weight of making it outWe were in a bad place thenI'm in a bad place nowCause they prepared us for war but not forThe day I laid my gun downYeahYeahI woke up back home with my mind thereIf I move on, forget that they're goneTell me how that's fairThey gave me twelve pins in my legAnd a purple heart to wearAnd every kind of pillBut they can't kill the nightmareEven when I'm asleepEven when I'm asleepI'm livin' itDifferent boots on my feetYeah, but I've been fighting sinceThe day I laid my gun downPicked up the weight of making it outWe were in a bad place thenI'm still in a bad place nowCause they prepared us for war but not forThe day I laid my gun downCause they prepared us for war but not forThe day I laid my gun downThe day I laid my gun downYeahTears in my eyesI was ready to ride that hollow pointForty-fiveWhen my son walked inAsked me, Dad, want to play outsideAnd I said, Dad, I want to play outsideDamn, that's the day I laid my gun downOh, and picked up the weight of making it outWe were in a bad place then, but I'm in a safe place nowThey prepared us for, but not forThe day I laid my gun downThe day I laid my gun downThe day I laid my gun down