(Marching, solemn, powerful, chant-like)

[Intro – low, rumbling snare roll, deep choir hum] Stand… Ready… National Guard. [Verse 1 – steady snare cadence, muted brass fanfare] When the warning lights are rising, when the night turns cold and long, we step forward, boots in rhythm, moving steady, moving strong. From the States we stand together, from the cities to the plains, one command, one mission calling— we will answer through the rain. [Pre-Chorus – building brass swells, intensifying snare] Hold the line! Stay in place! Duty first— no retreat! [Chorus – full brass blast, thunderous snare, choir harmonies] National Guard! Stand strong, stand proud! National Guard! Say it loud! For the flag! For the States! We defend our homeland gates! Stand your ground! Hold the line! Freedom’s shield—yours and mine! National Guard! One command! We protect this promised land! [Verse 2 – layered snare, rising brass arpeggios] In the wildfire, in the floodline, in the battle, in the storm, we are trained to move in silence, we are ready, we are sworn. When the people need protection, when the streets begin to shake, we arrive with strength and order— we are guardians awake. [Pre-Chorus 2 – doubled snare, blaring brass fanfare] Boots on ground! Eyes ahead! Honor first— fear is dead! [Chorus 2 – full ensemble, call-and-response vocals] National Guard! Stand strong, stand proud! National Guard! Say it loud! For the flag! For the States! We defend our homeland gates! Stand your ground! Hold the line! Freedom’s shield—yours and mine! National Guard! One command! We protect this promised land! [Bridge – slow, reverent organ, soft snare taps] We took the oath. We made the vow. To serve the Nation— here and now. And if the darkness comes again, we rise as one, we rise as ten, with hearts of steel, with hands of law— America, we stand for all. [Solo – soaring trumpet melody, building snare roll] (Instrumental Solo) [Final Chorus – maximum brass and percussion, full choir] National Guard! Stand strong, stand proud! National Guard! Say it loud! For the flag! For the States! We defend our homeland gates! Stand your ground! Hold the line! Freedom’s shield—yours and mine! National Guard! One command! We protect this promised land! ONE NATION! ONE FLAG! WE STAND! WE FIGHT! WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK! [Outro – fading brass, final snare crack, choir fade] We stand as one Guardians forever