Country music has a time-honored tradition of celebrating law enforcement officers. As the King of Country, George Strait has taken that role seriously. His 2019 song “The Weight of the Badge” is a testament to the “razor-fine line” that first responders walk every day. The lyrics took on a whole new magnitude Saturday (July 13) following the incident at Republican nominee Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The same night, Strait took some time out of his concert to acknowledge and honor the everyday sacrifices of law enforcement officers.
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George Strait: “Thank You for Coming When We Need You”
George Strait was performing at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan when news broke surrounding the incident involving the former president. Footage of the “Amarillo By Morning” singer addressing the incident began circulating on social media Saturday (July 13.)
“This song we’re gonna do is especially for all you men and women out there who wear the badge,” Strait said. “Wanna say how much we appreciate you. Thank you for coming when we need you, when we call you. We appreciate that very much, especially after today.”
Strait paused as the crowd broke out into chants of “USA! USA!” Then the country music legend began singing “The Weight of the Badge.”
Written by George Strait, his son Bubba, and Dean Dillon, “The Weight of This Badge” offers a look into the lives and emotions of first responders: 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 got to answer / And it’s all in the handling the weight / Oh, the heavy weight of the badge.
Fans took to social media to express their support for the country icon. “Damn strait!” one X/Twitter user wrote.
Featured image by Jason Kempin/Getty Images
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