I'm Alive

I’m Alive ©

My name is Norman Reynolds, I’m proud of who I am

I believe in my country, so I signed up for Afghanistan

I learned to use a rifle; I learned to use a knife

I learned to be an expert in the taking of another man’s life

Was sent out on patrol. It didn’t start out well

Got ambushed by the Taliban, the beginning of my personal hell

We took a wave of bullets, they shot off both my legs

And now where there was flesh, I’ve been fit with these prosthetic pegs

But I’m alive, Yeah, I’m alive

And I don’t know if I’m lucky or I’m cursed

When it comes to life I’ve seen the best

And believe me brother, I’ve seen the worst

They sent me to my mother, so glad to have me home

But she cries herself to sleep at night with nightmares of the combat zone

I tell her don’t be sorry for everything I’ve lost

Don’t want nobody’s pity, I got friends who came home in a box

When I go out I meet people, call me hero, shake my hand

But there’s others here who hate me, make me feel like I’m in enemy land

Now the army has retrained me, got skills I didn’t know

I learned to run computers and fix complicated weapons on the go

Well I’m alive, Yeah, I’m alive

Yes I’m alive, Well, I’m alive

And I’ve come to terms for what I’ve got in store

Don’t make a good civilian, so I’m headed straight back to the war

My name is Norman Reynolds and this is where I belong

Out here with the soldiers, with my friends, with the brave and strong

And if I die here in this desert, like we all know that we might

They won’t get me, ‘til I put up one hell of a fight

Cause I’m alive, yes I’m alive

Well I’m alive, Yeah, I’m alive

And I don’t know if I’m lucky or I’m cursed

When it comes to life I’ve seen the best

And believe me brother I’ve seen the worst

Well I’m alive, Yes, I’m alive

Well I’m alive, Yeah, I’m alive

And I don’t know if I’m lucky or I’m cursed

When it comes to life, I’ve seen the best

And believe me brother I’ve seen the worst

You may be for the war, you may be against the war. But whatever side you’re on,

the men and women who serve are paying the ultimate price. Their blood.

This song is dedicated to them, their friends, and their families.