Round Here

(Vibe: “Round Here” — small-town life; twist: how veterans cope differently in a tight community)Tone: Gritty, hometown-country, proud*
Verse 1
Round here we don’t talk much about pain,Just fix the porch and pray for rain.Guys sit outside the hardware store,Tellin’ tall tales we’ve heard before.But if you listen close beneath the jokes,You’ll hear the cracks in ordinary folks.Bruised hearts, scarred minds, worn-out knees—We carry more than the world ever sees.
Verse 2
Round here we heal in our own strange ways—Some take drives for miles, some spend daysOut on a tractor till the sunset bleeds,Some fish alone in the river reeds.I’ve had nights where the war came back,Had mornings where I got back on track.Round here love ain’t said out loud—But damn, it’s strong, steady, proud.
Pre-Chorus
You don’t gotta say you’re hurt to be understood—Round here we just treat you like we should.
Chorus
’Cause round here we heal different—Slow steps, long breaths, little commitment.We don’t judge a man for where he’s been,We just sit with him through the spin.It ain’t quick, but it’s consistent—Yeah, round here… we heal different.
Bridge
Sometimes all you need is a neighbor’s grin—A quiet reminder you still fit in.

* Instruments: Acoustic, banjo rolls, baritone electric, steel pads, steady drums