"If You're Reading This" is a tribute to the families of soldiers who have died.Its lyrics take the form of a letter written from a soldier to his family -- a letter that is intended to be sent only if the soldier dies ("If you're reading this / I'm already home")
When McGraw performed the song at the ACM awards show, one hundred relatives of soldiers joined him onstage, under a banner that read "Families of Fallen Heroes".After performing the song, he received a standing ovation.
LYRICS
If you're reading this
And My mama's sitting there
Looks like I only got a one-way ticket over here
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss
And war was just a game we played when we were kids
Well I'm laying down my gun
I'm hanging up my boots
I'm up here with God
And we're BOTH watching over you
So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go
And if you're reading this
I'm already home
If you're reading this
Half way around the world
I won't be there to see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you
I hope she fights like me
Stands up for the innocent and the weak
I'm laying down my gun
I'm hanging up my boots
Tell dad I don't regret that I followed in his shoes
So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go
And if you're reading this
I'm already home
If you're reading this
There's gonna come a day
When you move on and find someone else
And that's okay
Just remember this
I'm in a better place
Where soldiers live in peace
And angels sing Amazing Grace
So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go
And if you're reading this
If you're reading this
I'm already home
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