Every song begins with a story.

At SongwritingWith:Soldiers, veterans, service members, and military families partner with professional songwriters to transform their experiences into original songs.

Some stories are joyful. Others are difficult. All of them deserve to be heard.

Today, we invite you to do more than listen to music—we invite you to witness a story.

Choose the song that speaks to you. Listen. Then share your thoughts about what you heard.

Thank you for being part of The Power of Being Heard.

Choose a song to begin.

Written collaboratively at a retreat in Texas, At Ease became a call to honor those who didn’t make it home, and those who struggled with the transition back to civilian life. “Most of us lost friends in combat,” one veteran shared. “At the end of the day, they’re just another name. This song is for them.”This soulful tribute is a reminder that, in the presence of others who understand, we can lay down our burdens and leave at ease, knowing we no longer carry the weight alone.

”Strumming Hand’ ties together two of John Cameron’s powerful stories. One is about a dark night when his ship was hit with a 'ghost round' and the deadly blast that almost took his arm. The other is how he helped his own recovery, optimism and acceptance by learning to play his favorite songs on guitar. John had a calm, peaceful smile on his face from the moment we met and that glimmer of levity turned out to be the way to get these seemingly separate stories to play well together as one song." - Maia Sharp

Written at a SongwritingWith:Soldiers retreat by Army Rangers Marcin Budnik and P.K. Kelly alongside songwriter Jay Clementi, “Daddy’s Son” was inspired by the loss of fellow Ranger Sgt. McPherson and written as a message to his young son. Filled with love, memory, and fatherly guidance, the song honors both sacrifice and the enduring connection between fathers and sons.

Now, years later, Jay has recorded the song with his own son, Brody Clementi, bringing an added layer of meaning to this powerful tribute.

Writing ‘When You Look at Me’ wasn’t just about music—it was about being seen and heard in a way we hadn’t been before. Behind the smiles we wear is a struggle most can’t see, but Erin helped us give it a voice. She didn’t just write with us—she truly listened. That song became part of our healing. It didn’t take away the pain, but it helped us carry it with more strength, more pride, and a little less silence. We hope it reminds others that it’s okay not to be okay—and that even in the hardest moments, there’s a better way to struggle.” -Tanya and Brent Fogleman

At Ease

Lyrics

At ease, my friends, at ease
Lay your burden down
Take a breath and rest
In the new faith that you’ve found
We came in as strangers
We’re gathered here as friends
Opened up and shared our hearts
Family to the end

Where stories are remembered
You can let it go
You’ll never be forgotten
Now that they’ve been told

At ease, my friends, at ease
Lay your burden down
Take a breath and rest
In the new faith that you’ve found
We came in as strangers
We’re gathered here as friends
Opened up and shared our hearts
Family to the end

Instead of just surviving
Letting days go by
This is my revival
Time to live my life

At ease, my friends, at ease
Lay your burden down
Take a breath and rest
In the new faith that you’ve found
We came in as strangers
We’re gathered here as friends
Opened up and shared our hearts
Family to the end

Learn to live with peace
Take it down the road
You can sing your song
Everywhere you go

At ease, my friends, at ease
Lay your burden down
Take a breath and rest
In the new faith that you’ve found
We came in as strangers
We’re gathered here as friends
Opened up and shared our hearts
Family to the end
Opened up and shared our hearts
Family to the end

Strumming Hand

Lyrics

1 o’clock in the morning
Darker than the dark side of the moon
I didn’t know where we were going
We couldn’t get there too soon
On the tip of the spear, the guardians of the night
Oh but we couldn’t see it coming, a ghost round in flight

Had no idea that bones exploded
Or skin could act that way
That a boat could take on blood like water
And wash my soul away
Oh hanging off my shoulder
Was something I did not recognize
The corpsmen stormin the ship were shielding their eyes

It’s okay, it’s just my strumming hand
The other one does all the work
If I couldn’t play No Alibis or Ramblin Man
Now that, yeah that would hurt
It was a bad day but it’s okay

They sewed me back together
But it’ll never be the same
Still, I don’t waste a moment
On thinking who should take the blame
I had Panama and Paris
And Carolina on my side
At least a dozen doctors tried, I know they tried

It’s okay, it’s just my strumming hand
The other one does all the work
If I couldn’t play Cashmere or Preacher Man
Now that, yeah that would hurt
It was a bad day but it’s okay
It’s just my strumming hand

it’s just my strumming hand

It’s okay, it’s just my strumming hand
The other one does all the work
If I couldn’t play Stand By Your Man
Now that, yeah that would hurt
It was a bad day, but it’s okay
It’s just my strumming hand

Yeah it’s just my strumming hand

Daddy's Son

Lyrics

It’s your daddy son, yeah I’m right here
I never went away I’m always near
You can talk to me when you’re feeling down
When your heart is hurting or your scared I’ll be around
I never got to talk about faith, life or love
The good the bad the ugly that’s all a part of growing up

We never got to play catch, so charge the ball
Give your best
Never start a fight but never back down
Sometimes walking away is standing your ground
If your heart pounds to a rockabilly song
If your hair stands up when someone’s being wronged
And you wonder where all that comes from
It’s your daddy son

When it comes to girls, there’s gonna be some drama
Don’t forget to show respect just like I did your momma
And when it comes to her, you gotta pour on those kisses
It’s gotta be enough for the both of us for all the ones I’m missing
Always do your best son I’ll be proud of you
Prove things to yourself it’s all you gotta do

We never got to play catch, so charge the ball
Give your best
Never start a fight but never back down
Sometimes walking away is standing your ground
If your heart pounds to a rockabilly song
If your hair stands up when some ones being wronged
And you wonder where all that comes from
It’s your daddy son

One day you’ll search for meaning for what your life has in store
The secret is finding something that’s worth dying for

We never got to play catch, so charge the ball
Give your best
Never start a fight but never back down
Sometimes walking away is standing your ground
If your heart pounds to a rockabilly song
If your hair stands up when some ones being wronged
You have the spirit of a warrior the heart of a gentleman
You’re your daddy’s son

When You Look at Me

Lyrics

I’ve left a lot behind, people, places, and my heart sometimes
But you wouldn’t know it
I’m looking for a future, trying to find my footing on a brand new path
But I don’t always show it
Sitting at the movies or walking through the grocery store
You can’t see the soldier that I was before

When you look at me
There’s a whole lot that you don’t see
I’m walking round in memories you don’t know nothing about
Sometimes I’m not ok, and I need that to be ok
Know that I’m finding my own way
When you look at me

I found someone who’s been where I’ve been and I know they always have my back
But sometimes that’s a double-edged sword
Cause now and then when I see that look in their eyes, it’s one I recognize
And I know exactly what it’s for
I’ve held a lotta hands as a soldier said goodbye
And I’ve had to be the one to look their family in the eye…so

When you look at me
There’s a whole lot that you don’t see
I’m walking round in memories you don’t know nothing about
Sometimes I’m not ok, and I need that to be ok
Know that I’m finding my own way
When you look at me

I might catch a scent, see a face, or hear a song on the radio
And sometimes it still takes where I don’t wanna go

When you look at me
There’s a whole lot that you don’t see
I’m walking round in memories you don’t know nothing about
Sometimes I’m not ok, but I know that that’s ok
Cause I’m finding my own way
When you look at me
And I’m proud of what you see
When you look at me