[00:09.400]My name is Dodge but then you know that
[00:15.430]It's written on the chart there at the foot end of the of the bed
[00:21.210]They think I'm blind that I can't read it
[00:27.360]But I've read it every word and every word it says is death
[00:33.060]So confession Is that the reason that you came
[00:39.030]Get it off my chest before I check out of the game
[00:45.050]Since you mention it well there's thirteen things I'll name
[00:51.630]Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters
[01:04.620]August 49 West Montana
[01:11.210]The hottest day on record the forest tinder dry
[01:17.310]Lightning strikes in the mountains
[01:22.800]I was crew chief at the jump base
[01:26.010]I prepared the boys to fly
[01:28.610]Pick the drop zone C47 comes in low
[01:34.480]Feel the tap upon your leg that tells you go
[01:40.250]See the circle of the fire down below
[01:47.020]Fifteen of us dropped above the cold Missouri waters
[02:00.680]Gauged the fire I'd seen bigger
[02:05.890]So I ordered them to side hill we'd fight it from below
[02:11.820]We'd have our backs to the river
[02:17.800]We'd have it licked by morning even if we took it slow
[02:23.560]But the fire crowned jumped the valley just ahead
[02:28.950]There was no way down we headed for the ridge instead
[02:34.940]Too big to fight it we'd have to fight that slope instead
[02:41.860]Flames one step behind above the cold Missouri waters
[02:54.820]Sky had turned red smoke was boiling
[03:00.580]Two hundred yards to saftey
[03:03.660]Death was fifty yards behind
[03:06.600]I don't know why I just thought it
[03:12.530]I struck a match to waist high grass running out of time
[03:17.900]Tried to tell them step into this fire I've set
[03:23.980]We can't make it this is the only chance you'll get
[03:29.790]But they cursed me
[03:32.830]Ran for the rocks above instead
[03:36.200]I lay face down and prayed
[03:54.640]Then when I rose like the phoenix
[03:59.470]In that world reduced to ashes
[04:01.840]There was none but two survived
[04:04.390]I stayed that night and one day after
[04:09.100]Carried bodies to the river
[04:11.280]Wondering how I stayed alive
[04:13.360]Thirteen stations of the cross to mark their fall
[04:18.500]Now I've had my say I'll confess to nothing more
[04:23.550]Now I'll join them now those that they left me long before
[04:28.660]Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters
[05:25.630]