Broken Truth

(Vibe: “Bartender Song (Sittin’ at a Bar)” — confessional bar tale; twist: veteran admitting rock bottom)Tone: Raw, humorous-sad, gritty storytelling**
Verse 1
I’m sittin’ at a bar on a Tuesday night,Nursing a whiskey like it’ll make things right.Told the bartender, “Buddy, don’t cut me off,”He laughed and said, “Son, I’ve heard that talk.”My truck’s outside with a dented hood,Hit a mailbox dodging memories I never could.PTSD rides shotgun every damn day—Some nights I drink just to keep him at bay.
Verse 2
There’s a guy in the corner with a hollow stare,Looks like he left pieces of himself somewhere.We swapped war stories till we hit the wall,Till he said, “Man, hell didn’t take us all.”Bartender shook his head like he’d seen too much,Poured another round with a fatherly touch.Said, “Healin’ don’t happen in a bottle’s shine—But I get why you’re tryin’ to buy time.”
Pre-Chorus
I ain’t proud of these nights, but they’re real—Sometimes drunk truth is the only truth I feel.
Chorus
I’m sittin’ at a bar with my broken truth,Tryin’ to drown what I can’t undo.Spillin’ my guts to a man who’s heardEvery pain that hides in a soldier’s words.I ain’t fine, but I’m still pullin’ through—Just sittin’ at a bar…With my broken truth.
Bridge
One day I’ll walk out healed and whole—Tonight, I’m just patchin’ holes.

* Instruments: Upright piano, warm electric, acoustic, light drums, pedal steel