| My name is Dodge but then you know that
|
| It’s written on the chart there at the foot end of the of the bed
|
| They think I’m blind that I can’t read it
|
| I’ve read it every word and every word it says is death
|
| So confession Is that the reason that you came
|
| Get it off my chest before I check out of the game
|
| Since you mention it well there’s thirteen things I’ll name
|
| Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters
|
| August 49 North Montana
|
| The hottest day on record the forest tinder dry
|
| Lightning strikes in the mountains
|
| I was crew chief at the jump base
|
| I prepared the boys to fly
|
| Pick the drop zone C47 comes in low
|
| Feel the tap upon your leg that tells you go
|
| See the circle of the fire down below
|
| Fifteen of us dropped above the cold Missouri waters
|
| Gauged the fire I’d seen bigger
|
| So I ordered them to side hill we’d fight it from below
|
| We’d have our backs to the river
|
| We’d have it licked by morning even if we took it slow
|
| But the fire crowned jumped the valley just ahead
|
| There was no way down headed for the ridge instead |
| Too big to fight it we’d have to fight that slope instead
|
| Flames one step behind above the cold Missouri waters
|
| Sky had turned red smoke was boiling
|
| Two hundred yards to saftey
|
| Death was fifty yards behind
|
| I don’t know why I just thought it
|
| I struck a match to waist high grass running out of time
|
| Tried to tell them step into this fire I’ve set
|
| We can’t make it this is the only chance you’ll get
|
| But they cursed me
|
| Ran for the rocks above instead
|
| I lay face down and prayed above the cold Missouri waters
|
| Then when I rose like the phoenix
|
| In that world reduced to ashes
|
| There was none but two survived
|
| I stayed that night and one day after
|
| Carried bodies to the river
|
| Wondering how I stayed alive
|
| Thirteen stations of the cross to mark their fall
|
| I’ve had my say I’ll confess to nothing more
|
| I’ll join them now those that they left me long before
|
| Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters |