This is a very personal song and I would like to extend my thanks to Eric Ward for giving me permission to use his photo of Danny Francisco. The song is not about Danny, but the photo just hit me as the perfect photo for the cover of this single. I am thankful that Eric allowed me to use it.
Eric Ward has a documentary titled “There Are Heroes Among Us“. The documentary follows Danny Francisco, a WWII veteran who flew 50 successful missions over Europe as a tail-gunner in a B-17. Danny’s plane was called ‘The Silver Dollar’ and was based out of Foggia, Italy during the war. He recently had the chance to jump back in the same plane he fought at 18 years old in 1945. Stories like his need to be told as veterans like him are the reason the world is free today. He is a hero that lives among us, and there are plenty more in this great country. Let’s not lose sight of how wonderful America is and what it has always stood for.
Please take a few minutes to watch the documentary about Danny. He truly is an amazing Veteran.
Available on all major streaming platforms:
Title: Alongside You
Release: Single
Artist: Kilo Seven
Label: Kilo Seven Music
ISRC: QZWFE2592225
ASCAP Work ID: 931030879
The Lyrics for Alongside You are below:
He was sittin’ on a bench outside the VA
Thousand-yard stare, could tell he wasn’t ok
Ol’ Veteran Hat, with his unit patch
Hands were shakin’ as he lit a match
I said, “Mind if I sit for a bit?”
He just nodded, didn’t say shit
But in that silence, I could feel the weight
Of the demons running through his head that day
I pulled my sleeve back, showed him my ink
Said, “That one’s for a brother who we lost last May.”
He looked up with tears in his eyes
Said, “Sometimes I still wish I’d died that day.”
I said, “Yeah, me too — on my worst days
But we’re still here, and that ain’t by mistake.”
He cracked a smile, just a little crack
And in that moment, I knew I pulled him back
I see you sitting there alone
Struggling with a battle you’re tryin’ to win
But the strongest are the ones that help others
Even as they battle their own demons within
So grab my hand, brother, and we’ll fight together
Demons can beat one of us easier than two
When the times get dark, you can count on me
I’ll be right there fighting alongside you
I’ve been fighting mine a while
But I had help from a few
Brothers and sisters that fought alongside me
Just like I’ll fight alongside you
Some folks think the war ends when you’re home
But the loudest fights happen when you’re alone
Seein’ faces that ain’t really there
Hearing sounds when there shouldn’t be sound
Trouble breathing while you quietly stare
Wishing you were no longer above ground
But every time I almost broke in two
Someone like you helped pull me through
We don’t want to burden others with our pain
So we keep it to ourselves
Just when we think we got it beat
Our mind pulls it back off the shelf
It’s a never ending battle, for those like me and you
But we will fight together and we will make it through
I see you sitting there alone
Struggling with a battle you’re tryin’ to win
But the strongest are the ones that help others
Even as they battle their own demons within
So grab my hand, brother, and we’ll fight together
Demons can beat one of us easier than two
When the times get dark, you can count on me
I’ll be right there fighting alongside you
I’ve been fighting mine a while
But I had help from a few
Brothers and sisters that fought alongside me
Just like I’ll fight alongside you
