One of the most common feelings among service members and their families is, “nobody understands what it’s like.” They often feel disconnected from others within their families and beyond. SongwritingWith:Soldiers has held several retreats over the years to help military families share their experiences and reconnect to each other, and afterwards, to their own communities.
At every retreat we witness the growth of connections – first through the songwriting, then through the sharing of the songs, through learning together at creativity workshops, meditation, conversation and relaxation on beautiful grounds.
On the final day of a SW:S retreat for military families, the teenagers bonded for a mission of their own. They pulled songwriters Jay Clementi and Darden Smith aside and opened up about unexpected difficulties faced when a parent returns home after combat. “A simple event like a screen door slamming can set off a torrent of fear,” one revealed.
Within two hours, with their astute observations and deep feelings finally expressed, “The Battle Rages On” was created and recorded, all the teens singing along. No holding back. The teens had a song that their parents could hear, a song they could talk about as a family, a song they could all sing, together, and later share with others.
Through connecting, these teens gave their families an enduring expression of what holds them together, what makes them unique.
At the same time, all of these songs written by military families comfort and inform us all. This is the power of art, its ability to capture the truth of our shared humanity.
Through song, we can all connect.
Military family teenagers Jelly Estrada, Alexis, Emmett, and Sydney Wilson sing the song they wrote with Darden Smith and Jay Clementi at a retreat in Virginia, August 2014. Photo: Tyler McQueen
The Battle Rages On
Jelly Estrada / Alexis, Emmett, and Sydney Wilson / Darden Smith / Jay Clementi
I will never know what it’s like
To be fired on at night
Scared to the bone
But ready for the fight
All I can see —
Slammed door hit the floor just can’t take it anymore
The battle
Rages on
Even at home
When the bullets and the bombs and the patriotic songs are gone
The battle rages on
Soldiers say goodbye
To their wives and kids
Everybody knows
It could be months before we see’em again
All I see —-
Slammed door thunder roars they just aren’t the same anymore
We know the battle
Rages on
Even at home
When the bullets and the bombs and the patriotic songs are gone
The battle rages on
Daddy listen what I say it’s all gonna be ok
Daddy listen what I say it’s all gonna be ok
Daddy listen what I say it’s all gonna be ok
Daddy listen what I say it’s all gonna be ok
We know the battle
Rages on
Even at home
When the bullets and the bombs and the patriotic songs are gone
The battle rages on
© 2014 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music / Darden Smith Music / Sony ATV Cross Keys (ASCAP)
Photo: Ed Rode