SMITTY

 Yea as I walk through the valley of death 
 I close my eyes and hold my breath. 
 Hundreds men died here yesterday 
Death carted a thousand souls away. 
A thousand mothers were left to pray 
  Because a mad dictator had his way. 

Here in a broad valley of the Rhineland 
A German regiment died for the Fatherland. 
We are sitting on top of this accursed hill 
Watching the enemy pay his bill. 
 The grim reaper was working the register till 
 Each exploding shell gave us a thrill. 

  My self,Smitty,Roy and radio man Russ 
We knew the Germans would gladly do that to us. 
 The Germans must have been dragging their feet 
 Or they didnt know when to retreat 
Now caught in the open they were beat 
 These were soldiers that were learning about defeat. 

               In war you seldon witness such a sight 
Usually troop movements are made at night. 
For hours we sat here on this ridge 
And watched them try to cross an old stone bridge 
 On the far side a small farm village 
  Soon it would be the site of more carnage. 

The next morning at the break of day 
When we crossed that field  it was our turn to pay. 
Myself Smitty and Roy were the recon team 
We were almost across the little stream 
 When incoming shells began to scream. 
I look back on it now like it were a dream. 

 I am Death, Master of the earth 
  I am with you since your birth. 
And your life hangs by a single thread. 
A piece of shell took off Smitty's head. 
 When I looked back my friend was dead. 
It  could very well have been me instead. 

Not many of us old guys are still around 
Maybe eight or ten can still be found. 
 The company has disappeared along the way 
Death shadow's our steps with his dray 
  He came and snatched my best friend today. 
 I will miss you Smitty,What more can I say? 
 
~Elmer Ake~