Isbell, Jason - Dress Blues Lyrics






What can you see from your window?
I can't see anything from mine.
Flags on the side of the highway
and scripture on grocery store signs.
Maybe eighteen was too early.
Maybe thirty or forty is too.
Did you get your chance to make peace with the man
before he sent down his angels for you?

Mamas and grandmamas love you
'cause that's all they know how to do.
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
or sleeping in your dress blues.

Your wife said this all would be funny
when you came back home in a week.
You'd turn twenty-two and we'd celebrate you
in a bar or a tent by the creek.
Your baby would just about be here.
Your very last tour would be up
but you won't be back. They're all dressing in black
drinking sweet tea in styrofoam cups.

Mamas and grandmamas love you.
American boys hate to lose.
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
or sleeping in your dress blues.

Now the high school gymnasium's ready,
full of flowers and old legionnaires.
Nobody showed up to protest,
just sniffle and stare.
But there's red, white, and blue in the rafters
and there's silent old men from the corps.
What did they say when they shipped you away
to fight somebody's Hollywood war?

Nobody here could forget you.
You showed us what we had to lose.
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
or sleeping in your dress blues.

No, no you never planned on the bombs in the sand
or sleeping in your dress blues.





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Isbell, Jason Dress Blues Comments
  1. S.... I....

    This is one of my favorite live videos if him. Second only to danko/manuel and go it alone live.

  2. M.... W....

    Matthew you are not forgotten.

  3. J.... A....

    Not bad,... but its for sure the first songs he wrote. Something is missing. Dont get me wrong I have all his albums. And play his songs...

  4. D.... D....

    Rest In Peace Matt.

  5. G.... ....

    Semper Fi Marine
    https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-cpl-matthew-d-conley/1550696

  6. D.... ....

    Damn good song. Heard it done by other singers, never knew the story behind it.

  7. B.... D....

    Semper fidelis marines

  8. C.... M....

    Even when he was a still a drunk Isbell was an unbelievable songwriter. So good.

  9. T.... M....

    Hollywood war. Says it all

  10. A.... B....

    Marine Cpl. Matthew D. Conley
    K.I.A. 18 February 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

    21, of Killen, Ala.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward); killed Feb. 18 when his vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device while he was conducting combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq.

    Rest In Peace, Marine.

    https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-cpl-matthew-d-conley/1550696

  11. B.... G....

    They Don't make em like this anymore... God Bless!

  12. f.... ....

    It kills me to watch this man drink. I am so happy he is sober now.

    f.... ....

    If there wasn't the drinking part, the sober part wouldn't mean jack ... he'd just be a non-drinker ;)

  13. k.... n....

    What a devastatingly lovely song. I love that it acknowledges the complicated nature of American wars and how dehumanizing it is for those on the front lines. Respectful to those lost/sacrificed, while also making a statement about the devastating loss of young men and women. An altogether beautiful tribute.

  14. R.... P....

    Semper Fi

  15. S.... F....

    Memorial day 2018...... Semper Fi

  16. K.... A....

    American boys hate to lose... Wow. This gives me chills...

  17. B.... ....

    I'm a marine myself. Infantry, 0311, and maybe the biggest fan of jason in this organization. Absolutley kills his preformance as is the norm, and mentions the man behind it. Rest easy devil, and thank you Jason.

  18. T.... G....

    This guy cracks me up. He goes out on stage with as modest a countenance as can be and proceeds to sing the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful songs you could ever hear.
    This is as good as it gets.

  19. D.... U....

    Semper Fi
    Marine!
    Parade Rest
    Mathew Connelly!
    Sleeping in your Dress Blues,
    Thanks Jason for honoring your friend & for such a wonderful touching tribute within this song.

  20. r.... ....

    My new favorite singer/songwriter!

  21. D.... U....

    As a Marine,
    this song is particularly special.
    He’s an outstanding song writer & lyricist.
    Semper Fidelis!

  22. T.... ....

    Stunning. 🎸

  23. M.... H....

    mom and i listen to this often, we miss you Matthew. You were the best cousin I could have asked for, and i couldn't have asked for a better hero.

    M.... H....

    So very sorry for your loss..

    M.... H....

    I have a feeling Matthew was a dang good man. You hang them heads up high and when you think of him remember people like us love and thank your boy. Thank you. Everyone of us has to sacrifice cause nothing worth something in this world is free except love.

  24. i.... ....

    Powerful is an understatement.

  25. M.... R....

    amazing

  26. p.... 8....

    I'm in fucking pieces, thanks man.

  27. w.... d....

    Maybe the greatest song of all time. Jason needs to sell this recording because it is beautiful.

    w.... d....

    You can find it in another excellent version on his Live from Alamaba album, a fantastic record.

  28. A.... K....

    Clearly this was before he got sober

  29. s.... 1....

    Wow stunning! I Love folk music

  30. R.... R....

    "You never planned on the bombs in the sand...or sleepin' in your dress blues."

    wow.

  31. D.... T....

    It's frightening how much the laughing cameraman sounds like me. We kin.

  32. S.... o....

    hites home

  33. R.... C....

    Since 2005, I have ridden with the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) to more than 50 funerals for fallen warriors. And this song so perfectly captures the punch-in-the-gut feeling we felt in every small Texas town as they buried one of their sons. Which is what makes Jason Isbell such a treasure - his ability to paint such a vivid and accurate picture and tell such a perfect story with his words and music.

    R.... C....

    Thank you for what you do.

  34. J.... R....

    Back in Isbell's McDonalds days

  35. J.... S....

    I became a fan after he stopped drinking... never seen him throw back a shot then play until now. The talent was always there, but I'm glad he has cleaned up, seeing this. We'll get to keep him longer, probably.

  36. C.... K....

    Who are the 19 jack asses who voted thumbs down on this video?

  37. G.... V....

    ooh shit that Hummingbird.....

  38. t.... ....

    a good read about the short life of a marine from north alabama. http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20060904/fallen-warrior-greenhill-marine-was-a-hero-to-all-who-knew-him

  39. J.... R....

    This song tears me up

  40. D.... S....

    A stunning tribute to someone who passed too soon. This song, along with "Elephant", have both made me a tad watery.

  41. 9.... ....

    If he cleaned up his voice a bit he could really whale I bet

    9.... ....

    Funny guy. I assume you know that he did "clean up his voice" since this recording.

  42. r.... h....

    the most beautiful song ive ever heard. reminds me of being deployed with them long days thinking of home.. such an amazing artist

    r.... h....

    Were you station at Baumholder?

  43. S.... ....

    What an incredible songwriter. What an incredible story. I cried. No joke. No shame.

  44. S.... I....

    Beautiful

  45. M.... A....

    Tears ran down my face when I saw him do this one live Feb 2016 at The Pabst in Milwaukee. Wow. Just wow.

  46. M.... A....

    Damn. Heart-wrenching. Beautiful writing. The best stuff comes from sadness. This is one of the best.

  47. C.... S....

    Best anti-war song I have ever heard. "Somebody's Hollywood War." Chills and tears.

    C.... S....

    +gillecroisd 92 what a bunch of BS. The U.S. Has been in a state of perpetual war for decades. What you call a "consistent, proactive mission of operational capacity" is nothing sort of empire building. Why is it that with every overseas entanglement the U.S. finds itself in, we as citizens continuously loose civil liberties? Why is it that the United States government believes that it is the policemen of the world? They have a terrible track record going back decades. U.S. Foreign policy continues to double down on its past mistakes. And what is the result? A bankrupt country with more soldiers coming back and committing suicide than dying in combat. Yet retards like you still pledge allegiance and stand at attention during the anthem. Fuck that

    C.... S....

    I agree. It is a dedication song. I would like to know what he mean by Hollywood War. I have my own interpretation but it is probably wrong.

    C.... S....

    @Drew DeRuiter That line could very well be a snippet of his opinion of the war. But you're right that the song isn't about his opinion. The song is about the sacrifice that Corporal Conelly made.

    C.... S....

    @kungfujones1 How can you call something empire building when we never lay claim to any territory?

    We as citizens continuously lose (not loose) civil liberties because mediatized sheep like you so eagerly vote our rights away. The same rights that Cpl. Conelly and many before him died to protect.

    Considering that no enemy of the United States has managed to step foot on our soil in years, I'd say our foreign policy isn't half bad.

    Bankrupt? Lol...

    Maybe there would be less veterans committing suicide if people like you stepped up to help them rather than call them retards.

    Some food for thought.

    C.... S....

    @andeusmc You're wrong because it's BOTH. And I guarantee you Jason would say ... it's both. But to the extent it is an anti-war song ... it's one that's DONE ... absolutely PERFECTLY. And EVERYONE with half a friggin brain should be 'anti-war', so get the fuck over YOUR political agenda. Being anti-war in NO WAY means being anti-people in the military, esp. not the grunts. This is not a left-right thing. WAR ... sucks. Nobody but sick people should be PRO-WAR. Dig?

  48. M.... H....

    Be proud of Jason and Rogers High School. Sounds like they are putting out some talent to me. Everything isn't always politically correct, especially people who are real. Build a bridge and get over it.

  49. c.... ....

    Absolutely an amazing song. And props to zac brown for making it go further. Love the origional. A lot of heart and hurt in those words

  50. J.... M....

    RIP Matthew Conelly, Semper Fi!

    J.... M....

    Joey Maloney semper fidelis marines

  51. D.... R....

    Pick any J I album, any one... and if you get through it without your eyes getting wet, then you probably kick puppies too.
    The man's songs just have a lot of feeling.

    D.... R....

    +Daniel Rommel I tear up the minute he starts singing "Cover Me Up."

    D.... R....

    +Daniel Rommel I proudly had tears running down my face at his show when he played this. Powerful!

  52. J.... ....

    " Fight somebody's Hollywood war"--Goddamn right!

  53. B.... S....

    Beautiful

  54. B.... ....

    Have seen live 3 times and sat like 5 feet from the stage each time

  55. J.... C....

    steelermule your mother is a hack

  56. c.... a....

    I remember playing Rogers in football. We made fun of them because their uniforms were the exact same scheme as Penn St. and was right around the same time as the whole scandal went down, so we called them the Sanduskys as they proceeded to beat us by 42

    c.... a....

    Were you those 5A bastards that ran the shallow cross?

  57. K.... Y....

    Beautifully painful.

  58. M.... V....

    awesome!

  59. J.... ....

    @Morgan Willard and Todd Thomas, Zac Brown did a good job with this song, but it was by no means better than this original.

  60. D.... L....

    Right down the road from Greenhill, Rogers School are our local rivals... There's a Corporal Matthew Conelly highway now.

  61. M.... F....

    zac brown's version is much better IMHO...

    M.... F....

    +Todd Thomas You've lost your mind.

    M.... F....

    Todd Thomas well when Zac Brown can personally know my cousin Matthew he might be able to, but Zac doesn't have as much soul or heart into the song in my opinion. I like this one better because he experienced it and could channel his emotions into it better

  62. s.... s....

    awesome Jason

  63. D.... W....

    Most underrated singer/songwriter of our time!! 

    D.... W....

    Can't wait to see him live in a couple of months.

    D.... W....

    Of all time.

    D.... W....

    He's beginning to get his well earned due.

    D.... W....

    As a singer songwriter for a living people know he’s out there and that he spits hits out like hot fire. I’ve heard maybe one other artist that could make as many hit songs that wasn’t a Beatle and that’s Elliott Smith.

  64. L.... ....

    "This is the saddest song ever." Damn right brother, it's right up there.

    L.... ....

    @Leonidas0421 Check out Round Round by Rick Garvin. That's equally amazing as it is heartbreaking.

    L.... ....

    @Brian Cronin Will do brother.

  65. l.... p....

    love the song but FUCK George Bush for sending so many young Americans to die for a senseless war, just to steel oil and kill the innocent people of the middle east. All this for nothing, or should I say all this for American GREED.  

    l.... p....

    @Rob Colorado i hate people like him, im going to basic on june 10th in the marine corps to serve that best damn country on the planet, i wonder if he knws us over there is keeping them out of the u.s with out instalation of fear (which by the way the locals are happy we are there, my dad was in fallujah and so many kids and village elders gave my dad and his company gifts and blessings) that they would be over here constantly obstructing our way of life its our brave men and women keeping us safe and im damned proud to be part of it

    l.... p....

    @thattheresonedemleemoos Ill tell you as Marine myself you've got much to learn. Its no secret war is a game for politicians. Plus the fact that we did indeed invade Iraq with no reason except to find WMD's (unrelated to 9/11) which were never found unless you count the chemical weapons we JUST found this year buried in the desert which I myself would not, considering the death toll we brought as an invading force. As the old saying goes the only reason we knew about the weapons of mass destruction is because America had the receipt for them. At the same time if I hadn't done my 4 years and deployed to Afghanistan I would be the same fearful close minded individual I was in high school. In boot camp you'll learn about a USMC legend by the name of Smedley D. Butler. What they probably wont tell you though is that he wrote a book called "War is a Racket". Check it out. The Marine Corps is a very special brotherhood separate from any other U.S. Armed Force and I don't regret my time at all. I just want you to know that saying you hate people like @loc power  for caring about our lives is something you may come to regret if you ever find yourself under enemy fire with you, your rifle, and the guys next to you being the only ones you can count on (which I hope you dont). The politicians sure as hell wont be making decisions with you in mind when they get bribed with millions to decide the future of our country. I just ask you one thing and that is to keep an open mind and remember as a defender of freedom you should embody the qualities of equal and fair consideration of all American lives not just those you identify with.

    l.... p....

    @DBMarine5809 man, that was the fuckin truth. Bravo.

    l.... p....

    We're busy mourning the loss of an American Solider here. Take your politics elsewhere

  66. B.... P....

    God Bless you and Amanda, Jason 2015 is gonna be Hugh!

  67. T.... &....

    There is a version of Zac Brown singing this song oat camp Southern Ground

  68. S.... B....

    Zac brown band is covering this on their new album.

    S.... B....

    Where'd you find out?

  69. T.... ....

    Appreciate the sharing of the video.... The chuckle and the south comment was a but uncalled for. I have three children that went to Rogers. Two went on to obtain a four year degree. My youngest is a musician. But will be starting college this fall.

    T.... ....

    @Tidetruecrimsonthru ... Excuse the wacky spell check on my phone.... It six lol

    T.... ....

    @Tidetruecrimsonthru @Brett Wisler y'all, I don't know why it sounds like I said something disparaging, because I never would. I'm not from California either. I think what I actually said is "this song is so good". It was one of my favorites for a long time before I saw him play it on this occasion. I have nothing but love for the south or for the people Jason is singing about here.

    T.... ....

    @funkingkyle well if that's what you said then it was just a misunderstanding. Being from the south your use to snide remarks. Which K-12schools is just a fact.
    But it really did sound like. It's the south. Lol

    T.... ....

    +Brett Wisler Why would someone from California make that comment?

    T.... ....

    +funkingkyle : Thanks for clearing this up. I've lived all over this country and am tired of being called a Yankee or "from California" myself. Southerner's can be so hostile and prideful, just look at the comments here. I don't know why they are.

  70. h.... ....

    great song for all my brothers.  until we regroup......

  71. R.... ....

    Good stuff! I like the line..."fightin' somebody's Hollywood war'... It says a bunch.

    R.... ....

    @Todd W Yep. and ZBB commercialized it and removed it. I lost a lot of respect for Zac when he pulled that shit.

    R.... ....

    Christopher Barrett what's wrong with God awful war? I thought it was appropriate

  72. D.... B....

    I only recently started listening to Jason's music. I know he's in recovery (and it's possibly dickish to say) but the guy has a knack for being great no matter his state. And cheers to his happiness. And to all of yours.

    D.... B....

    I think he's been clean for a while now. When I saw him last year at Shaky Knees, the entire crowd cheered at the line, "I sobered up and I swore off that stuff, forever this time," from Cover Me Up. He seemed moved/encouraged by it.

    D.... B....

    adamnson saw him in st Augustine and the crowd did the same. Choked me up a bit

  73. m.... ....

    nothing but respect

  74. R.... B....

    It love that he never fails to mention the guy's name before or after performing the song. I'm sure it means a lot to his family...great song

    R.... B....

    Robbie Baker yes he did

    R.... B....

    Robbie Baker it really does. hearing his name sends a cold feeling through me knowing he's gone, but this song makes me happy

  75. s.... ....

    Love his songwriting.

  76. m.... ....

    great song , great tribute.

  77. J.... S....

    don't fuckin start fool

  78. J.... S....

    Beautiful tribute and Semper fi ----Love and Honor Always.

  79. S.... M....

    Thank you for that beautiful tribute. Semper fi.

  80. J.... G....

    take a count of the ones who have committed suicide after coming home. It is scary

  81. J.... W....

    Slow hand Salute.....

  82. V.... A....

    It was about a Marine not a Soldier... just saying...

  83. f.... ....

    I think I actually said "this song is so good" or something to that effect.

  84. N.... H....

    If you don't cry at this u aren't human, also best Isbell song

  85. C.... A....

    :52 u said this guy sucks? whaaaaa? u must be joking lol

    C.... A....

    Clayton Arbogast he said “this song is so good” listen closer

  86. d.... ....

    Tks for posting these numbers ever since Obama has been in office these numbers are not shared with us by the Major news outlets like they did when he was running in 08. GOD BLESS ALL THOOSE THAT HAVE AND ARE SERVING OUR COUNTRY. Your service has not gone unnoticed.

  87. C.... P....

    my husband (currently deployed) has said several times that it's amazing Jason has not been in the military. His ability to capture the small details in the songs like this one and Tour of Duty are phenomenal. Thanks to Jason for bringing awareness.

  88. B.... R....

    I was in the same platoon as Matt. Makes me cry everytime I hear this song. Great music for a tribute to one of this countries true heroes! Semper Fidelis!

  89. J.... J....

    The first (&only) time I saw Jason perform this was on his last show in Austin, with The Truckers. The rowdy crowd at Stubbs went almost dead silent during the song. It was jaw dropping. Simpily amazing!

  90. a.... ....

    Great song!

  91. w.... ....

    I just cried and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

  92. M.... B....

    wow.......speechless.

  93. f.... ....

    @alexh1166 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5.

  94. a.... l....

    Amazing solo!

  95. h.... ....

    Thanks for these videos. It was a great set, and you captured these 4 songs tremendously well. Did you by any chance get "Outfit"? Would love to see that again.