Battle Tried

Coming Home: The Story Behind "Battle Tried"

(Inspired vibe: “Chicken Fried” — simple joys; twist: veteran appreciating small comforts after war)Topic: Gratitude for life’s simple things after seeing hardshipTone: Warm, grounded, grateful, full-hearted*
Verse 1
I’ve had nights overseas where dinner was dust,Where water was warm, where hope was justA distant hum behind a firefight,Where stars felt closer than home felt right.I’ve eaten MREs with sand in the seal,Prayed for a moment where life felt real.But now I’m back home on a Friday night,Smell of Mama’s kitchen feeling just right.
Verse 2
Cold beer sweating on a porch rail shine,My girl dancing barefoot, looking divine.Neighbors yelling kids back inside,Fireflies glowing like they’re sanctified.I don’t need much—just this peace I’ve found,This little stretch of small hometown ground.After seeing hell and walking back alive,It’s the simple things that make me thrive.
Pre-Chorus
I used to chase big dreams that weighed me down—Now I’m thankful for this quiet town.
Chorus
Yeah, I’m chicken-fried and battle-tried,Grateful just to be standing on this side.Cold beer, warm nights, family near,The kind of love you feel when the air is clear.Life ain’t perfect, but it’s simplified—And man, that’s enough when you’ve survived.Yeah… chicken-fried and battle-tried.
Bridge
You learn the price of peace overseas—Makes moments like this feel like ease.

* Instruments: Acoustic, fiddle, mandolin, warm bass, light drums