Listen to George Strait’s Powerful New Single, “The Weight of the Badge”
Country legend George Strait has released the second single from his latest album, Honky Tonk Time Machine, and its theme is striking a chord in Tuscaloosa this week.
"The Weight of the Badge" is a tribute to the men and women of our police force and the sacrifices they make in putting their lives on the line to keep us safe every day. With the loss of Tuscaloosa Police Officer Dornell Cousette this week, the lyrics to this song are even more profound.
It's gonna be a long one, another grave yard shift
As he says goodbye to his wife and kids
He spends his life just like his dad's
Driving away under the weight of the badgeHe's seen it all in his fifteen years
Watching our backs, facing our fears
Lord knows it ain't no easy task
Keeping us safe under the weight of the badgeHe swore that oath to protect and serve
Pours his heart and soul into both those words
Lays his life on the line
And the line he walks is razor-fine
Tempered strength is always tough
But he ain't gonna buckle under the weight of the badge
Not that long ago he woke up in the hospital
With his wife and kids praying by his bed
He said: I'm gonna be alright
There's just some times you gotta fight
And the truth is, nothing truer could be said
I do it for us and I do it for them
And I ain't gonna buckle under the weight of the badgeIt doesn't weigh a lot until you put it on
And the weight of it is staggering
Then duty calls each time
He knows he's gotta answerAnd it's all in the hand of
The heavy weight of the badge
And he ain't gonna buckle
Under the weight of the badge
No he ain't gonna buckle
Under the weight of the badge