Nineteen
Waycross Lyrics

The number on his back, Voted captain of his high school football team
He was a standout athlete in high school, elected captain of his football team with the number 19 on his jersey.

Took us all the way to state, got a scholarship to play down in Tennessee
He led his football team to the state championship and earned a scholarship to play college football in Tennessee.

He could run, he could duck, he could throw, he could go like you?ve never seen, Nineteen
He was a gifted athlete, possessing speed, agility, and skill that amazed his fans and opponents.

But on the day those twin towers came down his whole world turned around
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 had a profound impact on his life and set him on a different path.

He told em all, ya'll I can?t play ball there?s a war on now
He made the difficult decision to forego his football career and enlist in the military after the 9/11 attacks.

So he marched right in with a few good men, and joined the marines
He joined the Marines, along with other brave soldiers, to defend his country in the war on terrorism.

Well he?s the boy next door, might have carried your bags at the grocery store
He was an ordinary guy, someone you might see working at the local grocery store, before he became a soldier.

He?s somebody?s son, in a hole with a gun, in a foreign land
He was someone's child, risking his life in a remote location with a weapon, fighting for freedom and democracy.

Try? in to hold on to his American dream, Nineteen
At a young age of 19, he was fighting to uphold the ideals of the American dream, which includes liberty, justice, and equality for all.

There?s a sniper out there in the dark somewhere, and a solider down
In the battle for freedom, there was always a danger from an unseen enemy, and sometimes, fellow soldiers got injured or killed.

Ya we need someone who can duck and run to get him out some how
In such dire situations, there was a need for someone courageous and swift, who could evade bullets and rescue comrades in distress.

Want one good man to raise his hand, and take one for the team
To save lives and complete missions, some soldiers had to make the ultimate sacrifice – to voluntarily put themselves in harm's way for the greater good.

Well how bout you Nineteen
The question is asked of the singer, whether he is willing to step up to the challenge and become a hero.

Brought him home today with a big parade down on main street
After serving his country with distinction, he returned home as a hero and was celebrated with a grand parade in the main thoroughfare.

Got a purple heart and a silver star, solider gave a speech
He was awarded two prestigious military honors – the Purple Heart and the Silver Star – and his fellow soldier delivered a moving tribute to his bravery.

Said he could run, he could duck, he could throw, he?s the one who rescued me
One of his comrades acknowledged that he possessed the skills that made him an effective soldier and a lifesaver for his fellow soldiers.

He said he could have played for Tennessee, Number Nineteen, He was Nineteen
In a poignant reminder of his unfulfilled athletic potential, it was revealed that he could have played football for his college team in Tennessee, and he was only 19 years old when he became a war hero.