Cold Missouri Waters

My name is Dodge But then you know that It's written on the chart there at the footend of the bed You think I'm blind 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 13 things I'll name 13 crosses high above the cold Missouri waters August 49' West 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 a drop zone C-47 comes in low Feel the tap On your leg that tells you go See the circle Of the fire down below 15 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 vally just ahead There was no way down Headed for the ridge instead Too big to fight it Have to fight that slope instead Flames one step behind above the cold Missouri waters Sky had turned red Smoke was boiling 200 yards to safety Death was 50 yards behind I dont know why I just thought it I struck a match to waist high grass Running out of time Tried to tell them Step into the fire I set We cant 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 When I rose Like the phoenix In that world reduced to ahses There were none but 2 survived I stayed that night And one day after Carried bodies to the river Wonder'd how I stayed alive 13 stations Of the cross to mark their fall I've had my say I'll confess to nothing more I'll join them now Cause they left me long before 13 crosses high above the cold Missouri waters 13 crosses high above the cold Missouri shores.