Earn This

I left my home for work today, just kissed my love goodbye,

I’m sure there was much more to say, but I didn’t want to try.

I have a son and daughter now, they’re old enough to know,

The war may take their mother, how can I just let her go?

My girl, she wants to serve her country in a military ward.

I feel the crumbling of my heart, how much more can I afford?

You’ve got to earn this time away,

You’ve got to come home soon.

You’ve got to earn this every day,

And when you return, we’ll know that it was worth the wait.

I knew when we got married, she’d be gone from time to time,

And long nights at the hospital were hard, but we were fine.

She says she won’t be gone to long but I know that ain’t her call,

And even as a medic it is possible she’ll fall.

I can’t know where she’s going and we won’t talk every day,

But if we’re gonna make it, there’s a cost along the way.

You’ve got to earn this time away,

You’ve got to come home soon.

You’ve got to earn this every day,

And when you return, we’ll know that it was worth the wait.

The army says, “be flexible” and “keep your spirits high,”

But when I see my children, it’s impossible to lie.

I say their mother’s saving lives and “it’s where she needs to be.”

And “just like soldiers stick together, so will we.”

You’ve got to earn this time away,

You’ve got to come home soon.

You’ve got to earn this every day,

And when you return, we’ll know that it was worth the wait.