About the song
There’s something profoundly moving about hearing Trace Adkins tell a story. With that unmistakable baritone voice deep, steady, and laced with lived-in truth he doesn’t just sing a song, he delivers a piece of himself. On “Songs & Stories Tour Vol 5: Semper Fi,”** Adkins steps into a sacred space between artist and audience, offering more than performance; he offers remembrance, reverence, and raw humanity.
“Semper Fi,” the Latin motto of the United States Marine Corps meaning “Always Faithful,” is far more than just the title of this track. It’s a tribute, a salute, and a promise kept to the men and women who wear the uniform. For Adkins, who has long been a vocal and active supporter of America’s veterans, this song carries a heavy emotional weight one that resonates through every word he sings. It’s not a political statement. It’s not a spectacle. It’s a heartfelt acknowledgment of sacrifice, loyalty, and brotherhood.
What makes this performance even more intimate is the setting of the “Songs & Stories” tour, a format that strips away the glitz and glamor to reveal the man behind the music. Adkins shares personal reflections and anecdotes, allowing listeners to see the heart beneath the cowboy hat. And when he arrives at “Semper Fi,” it feels less like a concert and more like a quiet moment of communion between artist, audience, and memory.
Musically, the arrangement is simple but deliberate. It lets the lyrics breathe, and more importantly, lets the meaning breathe. There’s no need for a roaring guitar solo or pounding drums here. The focus is on the words and the man who sings them with unwavering respect.
For longtime fans of Trace Adkins, or for anyone who has served or loved someone who served, “Semper Fi” is not just a song. It’s a reminder. A reflection. A thank you. And on this particular volume of his tour, it may just be the most powerful few minutes of the night.
Video
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
He sat in that long line of barber chairs
And the Sergeant asked him, “Son, would you like to keep your hair?”
He said, “Yes, sir,” as he heard those clippers buzz and hum
The sergeant said, “Well hold out your hands, ’cause here it comes”[Chorus]
Semper Fi, do or die
So gung ho, to go and pay the price
Here’s to Leathernecks, Devil Dogs, and Jarheads
And Parris Island in July, Semper Fi[Verse 2]
I sleep in my bed instead of a foxhole
I’ve never heard my boss tell me to lock ‘n load
Ain’t no bullet holes in the side of my SUV
Because the kid next door just shipped out overseas[Chorus]
Semper Fi, do or die
So gung ho, to go and pay the price
Here’s to Leathernecks, Devil Dogs, and Jarheads
And Parris Island in July, Semper Fi[Verse 3]
For the few that wear the dress blues
With hair cut high and tight
Who are proud to be the first ones in the fight
Semper Fi[Chorus]
Semper Fi, do or die
So gung ho, to go and pay the price
Here’s to Leathernecks, Devil Dogs, and Jarheads
And Parris Island in July
Never leave a man behind
A marine, a marine for life, Semper Fi