George Strait's "The Weight of the Badge" tips a hat to police. In typical Strait fashion, the song relies on a traditional county sound to tell the story of an officer who followed in the footsteps of his father, going into the line of duty for 15 years despite the pain of leaving his family behind each day.

Accompanied by the plucking of an acoustic guitar, gentle piano and mournful fiddle, Strait paints a picture of the unwavering strength of people who walk a dangerous line that's "razor fine."

The second verse finds the officer in the hospital after being injured on the job, surrounded by his family and vowing to pull through. "He swore that oath to protect and serve / Pours his heart and soul into both those words / Tempered strength is always tough / But he ain't gonna buckle / Under the weight of the badge," Strait sings meaningfully.

Co-written by Strait, his son Bubba and their longtime songwriting partner Dean Dillion, "The Weight of the Badge" is featured on Strait's new album Honky Tonk Time Machine. He performed the song during his Las Vegas show, Strait to Vegas

Strait remains committed to traditional country on his Honky Tonk ... album, touching on themes of a lively country bar with the title track and "Every Little Honky Tonk Bar," honoring two of the most important parts of his life on "God and Country Music" and celebrating his favorite tequila with "Codigo."

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George Strait's "The Weight the Badge Lyrics"

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 badge.

He'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 badge.

He 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 badge.

It 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 answer / And 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.

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