My name is Dodge, then you know that
 it's written on the chart there at the foot end of the bed.
 They think I'm blind, that I can't read it,
 but 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 'Forty-Nine, North Montana,
 the hottest day on record, the forest tinder dry.
 Lightning strikes, in the mountains.
 As crew chief at the jump base I prepared the boys to fly.
 Pick the drop zone, C-47 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.
 I ordered them to sidehill, 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's 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 turned red. Smoke was boiling.
 Two hundred yards to safety, 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 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.

 a a a aa aa

 And when I rose, like the phoenix,
 that world reduced to ashes there were none but two survived.
 I stayed that night, 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 left me long before.
 Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri water.
 Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri shoooooooor. uu uu uuuu