Cold Missouri Waters Lyrics

My name is Dodge but then you know thatIt's written on the chart there at the foot end of the of the bedThey 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 MontanaThe hottest day on record the forest tinder dryLightning strikes in the mountains
I was crew chief at the jump base
I prepared the boys to flyPick the drop zone C47 comes in low
Feel the tap upon your leg that tells you go
See the circle of the fire down belowFifteen of us dropped above the cold Missouri watersGauged the fire I'd seen biggerSo I ordered them to side hill we'd fight it from belowWe'd have our backs to the riverWe'd have it licked by morning even if we took it slowBut the fire crowned jumped the valley just aheadThere was no way down headed for the ridge insteadToo big to fight it we'd have to fight that slope insteadFlames one step behind above the cold Missouri waters
Sky had turned red smoke was boilingTwo hundred yards to safteyDeath was fifty yards behindI don't know why I just thought itI struck a match to waist high grass running out of timeTried to tell them step into this fire I've setWe can't make it this is the only chance you'll getBut they cursed meRan for the rocks above insteadI lay face down and prayed above the cold Missouri watersThen when I rose like the phoenixIn that world reduced to ashesThere was none but two survivedI stayed that night and one day afterCarried bodies to the riverWondering how I stayed alive
Thirteen stations of the cross to mark their fallI've had my say I'll confess to nothing moreI'll join them now those that they left me long beforeThirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters
Songwriters
KEELAGHANPublished by
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