D5 B5 My name is Dodge but then you know that G5 D5 A5 It's written on the chart there at the foot end of the of the bed D5 B5 They think I'm blind that I can't read it G5 D5 A5 I've read it every word and every word it says is death B5 G5 D5 So confession Is that the reason that you came B5 G5 A5 Get it off my chest before I check out of the game B5 G5 D5 Since you mention it well there's thirteen things I'll name E5 E5 G5 A5 B5 Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters D5 B5 August 49 North Montana G5 D5 A5 The hottest day on record the forest tinder dry D5 B5 Lightning strikes in the mountains G5 I was crew chief at the jump base D5 A5 I prepared the boys to fly B5 G5 D5 Pick the drop zone C comes in low B5 G5 A5 Feel the tap upon your leg that tells you go B5 G5 D5 See the circle of the fire down below E5 E5 G5 A5 B5 Fifteen of us dropped above the cold Missouri waters D5 B5 Gauged the fire I'd seen bigger G5 D5 A5 So I ordered them to side hill we'd fight it from below D5 B5 We'd have our backs to the river G5 D5 A5 We'd have it licked by morning even if we took it slow B5 G5 D5 But the fire crowned jumped the valley just ahead B5 G5 A5 There was no way down headed for the ridge instead B5 G5 D5 Too big to fight it we'd have to fight that slope instead E5 E5 G5 A5 B5 Flames one step behind above the cold Missouri waters D5 B5 Sky had turned red smoke was boiling G5 Two hundred yards to saftey D5 A5 Death was fifty yards behind D5 B5 I don't know why I just thought it G5 D5 A5 I struck a match to waist high grass running out of time B5 G5 D5 Tried to tell them step into this fire I've set B5 G5 A5 We can't make it this is the only chance you'll get B5 But they cursed me G5 D5 Ran for the rocks above instead E5 E5 G5 A5 B5 I lay face down and prayed above the cold Missouri waters D5 B5 Then when I rose like the phoenix G5 In that world reduced to ashes D5 A5 There was none but two survived D5 B5 I stayed that night and one day after G5 Carried bodies to the river D5 A5 Wondering how I stayed alive B5 G5 D5 Thirteen stations of the cross to mark their fall B5 G5 A5 I've had my say I'll confess to nothing more B5 G5 D5 I'll join them now those that they left me long before E5 E5 G5 A5 B5 Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters