Bill Thompson

Lyrics

Boots in the dust, letters never sent
A folded flag where their last breath went
Names carved deep in stone and time
Echoes of courage in every line

They held the line when the night closed in
Stood their ground through the fire and wind
Gave everything so we could stand free
Now they rest in eternity


And when the silence finally found them
And the battle faded out…

They see the stars and stripes in Heaven
Waving where the angels stand
Red for the blood they gave so freely
White for peace across the land
Blue like the skies they’re flying into
Where the brave forever dwell
They see the stars and stripes in Heaven
And they know they served us well


Dog tags still and rifles laid to rest
A hero’s welcome beyond the test
No more pain, no more goodbyes
Just open arms in golden skies

Every tear that we cry below
Is a river where their glory flows
They didn’t fall, they rose above
Into the arms of endless love

And when the final call was answered
They were not alone…


They see the stars and stripes in Heaven
Waving where the angels stand
Red for the blood they gave so freely
White for peace across the land
Blue like the skies they’re flying into
Where the brave forever dwell
They see the stars and stripes in Heaven
And they know they served us well


Hear the choir of freedom ringing
Every soul a story singing
From the battle to the light
They are honored in His sight

Trumpets sound, the gates swing wide
Every sacrifice justified
Through the clouds their voices rise—
“We gave it all… and we’d do it twice…”

They see the stars and stripes in Heaven
Brighter than they’ve ever known
Every fallen soul remembered
Every hero welcomed home
No more war and no more sorrow
Only glory they can tell
They see the stars and stripes in Heaven
And they know they served us well

So when you see that flag still waving
Know it’s more than cloth and thread
It’s the light of all the heroes…
Still watching from ahead
© 2026 Words and Music by William Fred Thompson