"The Attack"

A day at sea, the ocean still
The watch maintained in perfection
The clouds billowed overhead
As a sailor gazed in the stars' direction

Disturbing uneasiness crept through the ship
Through each and every one
Ears tuned to catch the slightest noise
Waiting for the first gun

Orders from the captain came
Maintain close watch through the night
There's red suns before the dawn.
Heartbeats pounding full of fright

(Chorus)
Was there a warning before he heard the cries?
Did sparks jump into his eyes?
Before the smell of the air burning,
Was there a warning before he saw them die?

Soon the drone of an engine filled the air
And the topside crew yelled out
The vision of the incoming plane
Left the command without much doubt

The enemy plane wasn't flying over
It was aimed straight for its prey
Kamikaze on target
Exploding the night into day

Flames and fuel igniting
Screams and smell of dying flesh
Metal peeled, piercing, bright in the sky
Enemy warships a-mesh

(Chorus)
Was there a warning before he heard the cries?
Did sparks jump into his eyes?
Before the smell of the air burning,
Was there a warning before he saw them die?

Crew members carried to safety
Most in a state of permanent shock
Dreams and thoughts forever implanted
Of which they would never talk

As I now realize the folly of my own fears
I can hear my father quoting a great man's words,
"You have nothing to fear but fear itself."
And I cry in my own ocean of tears

(Chorus)
Was there a warning before he heard the cries?
Did sparks jump into his eyes?
Before the smell of the air burning,
Was there a warning before he saw them die?
Was there a warning before he watched his friends die?


BJH


I was listening to "When the Tigers Broke Free" last night and started writing one about when my dad was in WW2 and this morning I realized today was the day he died 14 years ago. The last verse was a realization that all my fears are so damn foolish compared to the fear he must have felt knowing what was going to happen when that plane hit his ship. Dad never talked about it and back then I probably wouldn't have been intersted like I am now. I can find little about his ship so imagination does play apart in this, but I do know the basic story is true and he and his shipmates were stateside in a rehab place for many months. I just can't begin to imagine. Anyways, this is for my dad, my boys, and the crew of the Achenar.
The quote I heard all my life growing up and I always thought it was Dad's til one day I heard Harry Truman saying it. Then I knew.
Thanks for reading.

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