We at GotCountryOnline proudly salute and say thank you to all of those whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedoms, including the privilege to post all of the up to date country music for our amazing readers. Country music also treasures the men and women of our military and emergency services, and their sacrifices, so here is our Memorial Day playlist, showcasing the respect and admiration we show to those in uniform (in no particular order).
Lee Greenwood: “Proud to Be an American” – The song played at major and military events, this song is the quintessential “other anthem” of our nation. “And I’m proud to be an American/ where at least I know I’m free / and I won’t forget the men who died / who gave that right to me.”
Jessi Alexander/Lee Brice: “I Drive Your Truck” – Based on true events of a father whom drove his son’s truck to feel close to him after he was killed in Afghanistan. “Momma asked me this morning if I’d been by your grave / But that flag and stone ain’t where I feel you anyway.”
Tim McGraw: “If You’re Reading This” – A certified tear-jerker. “I’m laying down my gun / I’m hanging up my boots / I’m up here with God / and we’re both watching over you.”
Carrie Underwood: “Just a Dream“/”Keep Us Safe” – The first of these two songs starts out optimistically, with the listener thinking the woman is going to get married at a church. Quickly the song changes to it being a funeral procession for her husband whom was killed in battle. “Then they handed her a folded-up flag / And she held on to all she had left of him / Oh and what could have been.”
The latter song is a new release from Underwood, written specifically for the ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops television special which aired on May 20th. “God keep us safe tonight / Keep our eyes toward the skies / Send down an army of angels / To make us brave / And keep us strong and unafraid / God keep us safe.”
Trace Adkins: “Arlington” – Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. is hallowed ground, being the resting place of presidents, national figures, and those who were killed in battle. “And I’m proud to be on this peaceful piece of property / I’m on sacred ground, and I’m in the best of company / And I’m thankful for those thankful for the things I’ve done / I can rest in peace, I’m one of the chosen ones / I made it to Arlington.”
Big & Rich: “8th of November” – This song tells the tale of Niles Harris, a friend of the duo’s, whom was a soldier in the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the United States Army during the Vietnam war. “On the 8th of November the angels were crying / As they carried his brothers away / With the fire raining down and the hell all around / There were few men left standing that day / Saw the eagle fly through a clear blue sky / 1965, the 8th of November.”
Billy Ray Cyrus: “Some Gave All” – This 1992 release from Cyrus reminds us that even veterans show a different level of respect for those whom paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. “All gave some and some gave all / And some stood through for the red, white and blue / And some had to fall / And if you ever think of me / Think of all your liberties and recall / Some gave all.”
Toby Keith: “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” –It was hard to choose from his collection, but this song by Keith, released after the events of September 11th, it demonstrates the fighting spirit of America. “American Girls and American Guys / We’ll always stand up and salute / We’ll always recognize / When we see Old Glory Flying / There’s a lot of men dead / So we can sleep in peace at night / When we lay down our head.”
Joe Bachman: “A Soldier’s Memoir” – Although the video showcases soldiers whom survived, PTSD is a serious condition for those returning from battle. We have included this song on the list because, unfortunately, there has been a high suicide rate amongst those returning from war with PTSD and we want to acknowledge that they are also remembered.
Johnny Cash: “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” – This song has been covered numerous times but the most famous is Cash’s version, telling the story of Ira Hayes, one of the five servicemen who raised the flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima. “There they battled up Iwo Jima’s hill / Two hundred and fifty men / But only twenty-seven lived to walk back down again.”
GotCountryOnline would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day, and to please remember today is more than a day off from work and BBQ. While everyone is celebrating please remember what today is actually about, and please drink responsibly.
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