The gen'ral just gave me a metal.
Oh, I'm a sight for mom to see!
But when the news get's 'round that I ain't got ol' Bill,
Some kid's gonna think a 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 grow'ed all the while I was trainin' him.
Forget him? I never will!
'cause you'd never see me, but right at my heels was Oklahoma Bill.
We hit a long ridge one sun up and it seemed like death held all the cards.
'cause we paid and paid with lives of men for ever hard fought yard.
When finally we drove to the top, there wasn't nothin' but death behind
and as we all dug in we all thanked God... tho' we numbered only nine.
And as the snipers switched their guns, as darkness cloaked that hill,
My sole companion in the night was Oklahoma Bill.
There's no glory in a battle, once you've seen it's awful cost,
But there's glory in the knowledge that your flag is never lost!
And yet, in the stillness of the night-time, when all alone ya hold a post,
Ya start cryin' like a baby... sittin' there with all the ghosts.
Ya feel yer buddies a-pattin' yer back, tho' their guns are silent and still.
It's only a dog tryin' to love ya... my Oklahoma Bill.
I gave him a note to the colonel and bound a shattered leg;
And I said, "Bill, we're shor 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 off thru the night, like a fightin' marine'd do!
I kept firin' 'til help finally came.
It was him tho, that saved that hill.
A dyin' dog had got through the line, my Oklahoma Bill.
That little ol' kid'l always wonder what happened to her dog,
And she'll find out on judgement day when she sees the Big Skipper's log.
We'll all walk in and bugles will blow and we'll stand our last review;
And men who died for men on earth will get their heavenly due,
And of all brave hearts who're there that day,
I'll get my greatest thrill,
When I hang this metal around the neck of Oklahoma Bill!
"Oklahoma Bill"
Author: Stuart Hamblen
Made popular by Jimmy Dean of Plainview, Texas.
(Joined the Army Air Force at the age of 18 in 1946, served three years.)
The ballad was included on his "Big Bad John" album.
(Late 50's or early 60's)
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