I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
It's the spring of your time
And the time has come
The open road receives you
Won't you roll to a stop
Won't you gaze at the drop
And the awful miles below you?
Take care where you step
Don't you know that it Death
And Life and Love you straddle
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the summer you'll find
That you road ruse aside
A tangled man-made thicket
Take care you don't lean
Dip your toes in the stream
That sweeps away the wicked
Survey all you see
'Cause there's still time to leave
The briar and the bramble
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the fall of your time
You're astounded to find
So much is now behind you
With kids of your own
You'll be scared 'fore you know
Just walk the dark and mind you
Tell them what I told you
In days of your youth
What's well with whom you travel
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the winter of life
You'll be asked for your light
Lay down, all forts surrender
And all that is you
That is precious and true
Is the awful price you'll tender
And I will look on
But I long for you, son
Don't tarry there, don't amble
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
And the time has come
The open road receives you
Won't you roll to a stop
Won't you gaze at the drop
And the awful miles below you?
Take care where you step
Don't you know that it Death
And Life and Love you straddle
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the summer you'll find
That you road ruse aside
A tangled man-made thicket
Take care you don't lean
Dip your toes in the stream
That sweeps away the wicked
Survey all you see
'Cause there's still time to leave
The briar and the bramble
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the fall of your time
You're astounded to find
So much is now behind you
With kids of your own
You'll be scared 'fore you know
Just walk the dark and mind you
Tell them what I told you
In days of your youth
What's well with whom you travel
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the winter of life
You'll be asked for your light
Lay down, all forts surrender
And all that is you
That is precious and true
Is the awful price you'll tender
And I will look on
But I long for you, son
Don't tarry there, don't amble
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
Lyrics submitted by mjsamelson, edited by quamp
You Were Born to Be in Battle Lyrics as written by Murry Hammond Kendall Dewayne Bethea
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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These posted lyrics are SO WRONG. They're meaningless as it is. The correct lyrics are about someone looking back on his life and advising his son to lead a good life.
Having this CD, I've corrected them.
It's more of a warning about what the life of a war hero can be like. You go in, fight, and win glory for your side, but there's always a chance you'll slip and fall. I really think the singer is talking to someone older than himself; this war hero has fought for a long time, and is wanting that one last battle. The singer is warning him that there really is no glory in dying.