Oklahoma Bill

The General just gave me a medal oh I'm a sight for mom to see

But when the news gets round that I ain't got ole Bill

Some kids gonna think a whole lot less of me

You see she gave me that puppy and said he'd protect me through the night

And if I got hurt he'd go for help or he'd back me up in a fight

He growed all the while I was trainin' forget him I never will

Cause you'd never see me with right at my heels was Oklahoma Bill

We hit a long ridge one sunup and it seemed like death held all the cards

Cause we payed and payed with lives of men for every hard fought yard

When finally we drove up to the top there wasn't nothin' but death behind

And as we all dug in we all thanked God though we numbered only nine

And as the snipers switched their guns as darkness closed that hill

My soul companion in the night was Oklahoma Bill

There's no glory in a battle once you've seen its awful cost

But there's glory in the knowledge that your flag is never lost

And yet in the stillness of the nightime and all alone you hold a post

You start cryin' like a baby sittin' there with all the ghosts

You feel your buddies are pattin' your back though their guns're silent and still

It's only a dog tryin' to love you my Oklahoma Bill

I gave my note to the Colonel and I bound a shattered leg

And I said Bill we're sure in trouble he never whimpered or begged

I could tell he hated to leave me I was the only God he ever knew

But quick as a flash he took of through the night like a fightin' marine would do

I kept firin' till help finally came it was him though that saved that hill

A dyin' dog had got through the lines my Oklahoma Bill

That little ol' kid will always wonder what happened to her dog

But she'll find out on Judgement Day when she sees the big Skipper's log

We'll all walk in and bugles'll blow and we'll stand our last revue

And men who've died for men on earth will get their heavenly dues

And if all brave hearts are there that day I'll get my greatest thrill

When I hang this medal around the neck of Oklahoma Bill