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