Top 30 Soldier Songs: #19: “Til The Last Shot’s Fired” by Trace Adkins
While we’re on the subject of Trace Adkins it’s time to introduce the #19 song on thelist of top soldier songs. If you haven’t heard it yet it’s defiantly a song to hear. “Til The Last Shot’s Fired” is a work of arts to its own credit, taking the soldier concept and reinforcing it through the persona of the lost souls of soldiers gone by.
Trace, accompanied by powerful production and instrumental support, speaks through the characters of former soldiers who lost their lives in wars. These soldiers offer their own personal perspective into the events that they were forced to endure including the circumstances of their own deaths. They also reveal that they are unable to reach peace and to move on after their deaths. They claim that they are waiting for the peace that they were fighting for. When this peace is reached and the last shot is finally fired they will then be able to move on.
As a soldier song this balled touches on a concept rarely attempted by songwriters and singers alike. It visits the souls of American forces after they are lost and instead of advertising possible disagreement or regret for serving or even worry for their family, it simply explains that the one thing that every soldier who has died would agree on is that they have not yet reached the worldwide peace that they were fighting for. In a way is suggests that these soldiers will remain to try and help their fellow American warriors towards their cause while also explaining that while these warriors would all be proud to serve their country, they would not be left in peace with the notion that they gave their lives for a cause that has not yet been met.
Trace allows this song to range from Vietnam vets to present days victims from Afghanistan and adds one significant aspect to it that makes it one of the most powerful songs on this list. The song concludes with a choir singing the chorus as if they were the souls of fallen soldiers. Trace joins them to conclude the song in an almost haunting display that speaks to the hearts of its listeners and inspires devoted support for the living and dead soldiers alike in their attempt to create and preserve worldwide peace and security for both the people they love and the people they have never even met.
The “choir” at the end of the song is The United States Military Academy Cadet Glee Club, of which I am a member. We are all in the process of becoming Officers to serve in the Army, and while I don’t speak for everyone, almost every one of us has been personally touched by the loss of a fallen brother or sister in arms.
thank you for pointing that out Austin. I was wondering who the choir was. you guys did a great job here. Good luck on becoming officers and keep up the good work.
After watching Trace in the GAC special 10 days in Iraq and Aphaganistan, seeing Trace talk about X on several nationwide TV programs and purchasing his new album X yesterday I feel I must respond.
Till the last shots fired is the followup to the hit song Arlington. As Trace explained it
the soldier cannot go home until the last shot is fired in the last war.
He said the West Point Cadette Choir is breathing taking and its very true!
He said he had to get permission from the Pentagon to use this song on the album.
I have all of Trace’s albums! I can honestly say that X is Trace’s finest album!
I am please that Until the last shots fired is #19. Now I must find out what # Arlington is.
thank you for your prayer i live with this night mare every day
I like the song but the lyrics could have been a little more universal. He starts outs singing about Confederate forces – this was an army, that although fighting for their state’s rights, had separated from the United States, were commanded by officers who were traitors to their oath of office in the U.S. Army, and were at least indirectly fighting to support the institution of slavery. Later on Adkins makes a reference to Mary. There are lots of soldiers who’ve fought for our freedom who aren’t Christian. Go to any military cemetery and you’ll see lots of Stars of David scattered among the Crosses. The blood on the shores of Normandy beach was the blood of Americans, not just Christians.
This is a wonderful song. I even think the choir works here despite other’s opinions to the contrary. Trace really shines on these kinds of balads and I love that Frank Rogers’ production is restrained and very tasteful.
Larry,
get a life. enjoy a great song. seems like you would dis the Mona Lisa cause she looks better with a mushtache.
More appreciation is needed for the men and women who serve in our armed forces. The pay is terrible and the danger is great. They define the word “hero.” They song was wonderful, and I know the life of a military. I was a daughter, sister,niece, and aunt of the Marine Corps. And a mother of a Army soldier it comes from the heart to serve your country with pride and the willingness to die for such a belief. Everyone should thank a soldier or verteran daily for their service.
Thank you all for your great sacrifice and contribution. Enough can not be said for our young men and women of the armed forces.
I like that
This song, when I first heard it was on the AMC Awards when Trace Adkins and the West Point Glee Club performed it. Its smoothing music and the powerful voices that went with it, made my skin get covered with goosebumps and tears fall from my eyes. My family and the house in which I reside are all very family oriented and we have family and friends serving in our armed forces. This is a Thank You, to all of our brothers and sisters serving in the armed forces, to Trace Adkins and the West Point Glee Club, and to the ones who have fallen. Thank you so much for what you do,what you have done, and for what you will do.