Tim McGraw: If You're Reading This

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"If You're Reading This" is the title of a song by American country music artist Tim McGraw. The song was first performed at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards, which were held in Las Vegas, Nevada and aired May 15, 2007 on CBS.  Shortly after McGraw's live performance, several radio stations began playing a telecast of the song, boosting it to a debut at #35 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts from unsolicited airplay. A remixed version of the live recording was later released to radio as a single, overlapping Tim's then-current single, "I Need You", (a duet with wife Faith Hill).

In November 2007, "If You're Reading This" reached a peak of #3 on the Billboard country charts, becoming McGraw's forty-second Top Ten country hit overall. The song also peaked at #41 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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").

McGraw co-wrote the song, with Brad and Brett Warren of country duo The Warren Brothers, approximately three weeks before the ACM awards aired. The three were inspired by reading a magazine article on war casualties.

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.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_You're_Reading_This

If You're Readin' This

 If you're readin' this 
My momma's sittin' there 
Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here. 
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss 
War was just a game we played when we were kids 
Well I'm layin' down my gun 
I'm hanging up my boots 
I'm up here with God and we're both watchin' 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. 
If you're readin' this I'm already home. 

If you're readin' 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 
And stands up for the innocent and the weak 
I'm layin' 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 
If you're readin' this, I'm already hoooommmmmeeee 

If you're readin' this, 
There's gonna come a day 
You move on and find someone else and that's okay 
Just remember this 
I'm in a better place 
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 
If you're readin' this 
If you're readin' this 
I'm already home