The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
The day I shipped out,
They numbered a dozen.
Upon my return,
Were a hundred or so.
From the coast and from the prairies,
I bet they keep coming.
Add one more name from Ontario.
And carry me home, down the highway of heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down the highway of heroes.
True patriot love,
There was never more.
I served with distinction,
No visions of glory.
I served without question,
Or personal gain.
Seek no justification,
It's not part of my story.
And it offers no comfort to the ones who remain.
Just carry me home down the highway of heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down the highway of heroes.
True patriot love,
There was never more.
I took up my vocation,
I was called by my nation.
Without hesitation,
My answer I gave.
Now I am not wondering,
The things that I might have been.
No consolation,
To the forgotten brave.
So carry me home, down the highway of heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down the highway of heroes.
True patriot love,
There was never more.
Carry me home, down the highway of heroes.
People I love with their heads down low.
Carry me softly, down the highway of heroes.
True patriot love,
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
They numbered a dozen.
Upon my return,
Were a hundred or so.
From the coast and from the prairies,
I bet they keep coming.
Add one more name from Ontario.
And carry me home, down the highway of heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down the highway of heroes.
True patriot love,
There was never more.
I served with distinction,
No visions of glory.
I served without question,
Or personal gain.
Seek no justification,
It's not part of my story.
And it offers no comfort to the ones who remain.
Just carry me home down the highway of heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down the highway of heroes.
True patriot love,
There was never more.
I took up my vocation,
I was called by my nation.
Without hesitation,
My answer I gave.
Now I am not wondering,
The things that I might have been.
No consolation,
To the forgotten brave.
So carry me home, down the highway of heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down the highway of heroes.
True patriot love,
There was never more.
Carry me home, down the highway of heroes.
People I love with their heads down low.
Carry me softly, down the highway of heroes.
True patriot love,
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
Lyrics submitted by GunnyHighway
Highway of Heroes Lyrics as written by Gordie Edmond Johnson Colin Macdonald
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Yes indeed, the song is about a Canadian soldier who made the supreme sacrifice, probably in Afghanistan.
A bit of context: Canadian fallen soldiers are usually flown to CFB Trenton for a repatriation ceremony, then taken by an official motorcade--hearse(s) and military /diplomatic personnel---to Toronto, Ontario for an autopsy--that might seem unnecessary, but it's what we do: for example, in some cases there might be forensic evidence to acquire if the cause of death might be unclear for some reason. The highway from the base to Toronto was actually renamed "Highway of Heroes" about ten years ago after people spontaneously began gathering on the overpasses with flags, to pay their respects to the fallen as the motorcade went by.
Hete are some links on the subject:
cbc.ca/1.818679 toronto.citynews.ca/2007/09/07/stretch-of-401-officially-renamed-highway-of-heroes/