Jason Isbell - Soldiers Get Strange Lyrics

You want her to try new things
She reminds you she wears your ring
and after a couple drinks she's a little scared of you
A good friend is hard to find
You wish you could spend more time
towing civilian lines, but they're all scared of you

It's not the time that makes it go bad
It's not the thought of what you could've had
It's not the way that her figure has changed
It's just that a soldier gets strange

You know she's a real good girl
She reminds you that every curl
that whips in the wind of the world
is watched by the eyes of God
But lately your mane's gone white
You itch in your veins in the night
Before you "came home alright"
you wielded the lightning rod

It ain't the time that makes it go South
It ain't the liquor that burns in your mouth
Nearly nothing around here's changed
It's just that a soldier gets strange

She turns off the lights so you can't see her body
You can't make her fight when you know that you're wrong
They call you a hero, so many still fighting
This ain't where you belong

Maybe you'll re-enlist
It couldn't be worse than this
But think of the things you'll miss
If you're inside the wire again

It's not the dreams that keep you up late
It's not the world you saw incinerate
It's not the way that her figure has changed
It's just that a soldier gets strange
Most of all you got strange

Outstanding! Someone who can put what we go through into words.

This hits deep

what guitar is he playing here? i can't make out the brand. It looks like a sj body but i could be wrong. Please help.

Micah Carter Baxendale

It got stole

I've been listening to this song for years, but this is the first time I've come across this version…..good golly, I can't get enough of it today…..then again, maybe it's just the liqueur burning my mouth that's talking

Is there a way to get the mp3 from this version?

yes, I can tell you how, but why not just purchase the album?

Because I bought it and this version is far better. Hes a fantastic live performer but his studio recording needs work. 

Gotcha, I understand and that's why I download some live versions I like better as well. email me at [email protected]

Guys from my hometown... Awesome awesome raw song writer

Goddammit this is good.

Well your battles were different from mine since I joined in early '09 but after Marjah/Sangin I understand your feeling. I spent too many days (Months) drinking myself into that state where it doesn't matter without hitting that state where your shields fall and it all comes back. The good news is that your healing, some things are emotional wounds yet sometimes "being strange" is just because we have seen things that the normal American man-child can't imagine. Semper Fidelis and God bless.

Wow, big lump in my throat. I was sent a link to this on Vetrans Day by " a brother". Its over 10 years since I put my battel rattel down, I stayed stoned and drunk my first 2 mo's @ home, the next 2 mo's I spent with a dog as my only friend, the 2 after that I finally conversed with family. I have healed a lot since then, but I still "get strange". To all the vets on here and those that support us, we have to take care of each other, never hesitate to reach out! Thank you JI for this song!

maybe i'll re-enlist.

u can't make her fight when you wrong.

liquor that burns your mouth.

This so reminds me of my friends when they come home from serving. Jason really understands them.

He is phenomenal . A boy from Alabama and his guitar. He is my new Jackson Browne. His ability to fill up a hole in one's soul with his words and music.

You nailed it right on the head brother great song

this song smacks it right on the head. good stuff.

I fell asleep @ 0:18 then awoke @ 0:30 and still nothing had happened.

@Bttry01 absolutely.