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.
I never thought that this is where I'd settle down
I thought I'd die an old man back in my hometown
They gave me this plot of land
Me and some other men, for a job well-done
There's a big white house
Sits on a hill just up the road
The man inside
He cried the day they brought me home
They folded up a flag and told my mom and dad
We're proud of your son
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
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
I remember daddy brought me here when I was eight
We searched all day
To find out where my grand-dad lay
When we finally found that cross
He said, "Son this is what it costs
To keep us free"
Now here I am, a thousand stones away from him
He recognized me on the first day I came in
And it gave me a chill when he clicked his heels
And saluted me
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
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
And every time I hear twenty-one guns
I know they brought another hero home to us
We're thankful for those thankful
For the things we've done
We can rest in peace
'Cause we are the chosen ones
We made it to Arlington
Yeah, dust to dust
Don't cry for us
We made it to Arlington
I thought I'd die an old man back in my hometown
They gave me this plot of land
Me and some other men, for a job well-done
There's a big white house
Sits on a hill just up the road
The man inside
He cried the day they brought me home
They folded up a flag and told my mom and dad
We're proud of your son
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
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
I remember daddy brought me here when I was eight
We searched all day
To find out where my grand-dad lay
When we finally found that cross
He said, "Son this is what it costs
To keep us free"
Now here I am, a thousand stones away from him
He recognized me on the first day I came in
And it gave me a chill when he clicked his heels
And saluted me
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
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
And every time I hear twenty-one guns
I know they brought another hero home to us
We're thankful for those thankful
For the things we've done
We can rest in peace
'Cause we are the chosen ones
We made it to Arlington
Yeah, dust to dust
Don't cry for us
We made it to Arlington
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this song reminds of me of an amazing experience i had...though the air force JROTC i am a member of i was able to be a member of a 4 person team that laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier. we stood there at attention, saluting the tomb, with those incredable army tomb guards while taps was played...and for the entire time you didn't hear a single plane flying over from the nearby airport like you usualy do, in fact you didnt hear a thing but taps. it was an amazing and emotional experience i will never forget. this song takes me right back to it and makes me think about the sacrifice paid by all those soldiers that rest in arlington.