As Strong as I Once Was

(Inspired vibe: “As Good As I Once Was” — humor + age; twist: veteran facing limits after service)Topic: Aging soldier realizing he’s not who he used to be, but still has fightTone: Humorous, honest, gritty, heartfelt*
Verse 1
Back in the day I could run ten milesOn four hours sleep and pure high-stakes style.Could toss a pack on my back, no sweat,Kick down a door and not break a step.Used to hit the bar with the boys all night,Shoot whiskey like water, wake up alright.Didn’t need warmups, didn’t need rest—Thought I was carved from steel at best.
Verse 2
Now my knees pop like bubble wrap,And my back throws fits when I try to nap.Five beers deep and I’m callin’ it quits—Two-day hangover from just little sips.Tried helping my buddy move last June—Pulled something mean, took a week to prune.But I’ve still got grit where it counts inside—Strength ain’t just muscle, it’s how you ride.
Pre-Chorus
I ain’t the man I was at twenty-two—But I’m wiser now in what I do.
Chorus
I ain’t as strong as I once was,But I’m stronger in the ways that matter becauseI’ve faced down hell and walked back alive,Learned how to bend but still survive.Give me a moment, give me a cause—I’ll show you heart don’t follow the laws.Yeah, I might move slower just because…But my soul’s still strong as it ever was.
Bridge
Age don’t steal the fire from a man—It just teaches him a better plan.

* Instruments: Acoustic + electric, dobro, snap snare, barroom piano accents