Semper Fi Rodney Watson - The Duke Of Earl
He was the Duke of Earl,
From Baltimore.
And I wish we could sing,
The “Duke of Earl, once more.
It was Camp Carroll,
Where I met the Duke of Earl.
He led us to sing in harmony.
We’d talk of home and a girl.
Have you returned from Vietnam yet?
I considered you so wise.
But when I saw you last,
The light was gone from your eyes.
Could we ever forget,
In a million years and a day,
We were young soldiers,
With orders to obey?
Let’s sing the “Duke of Earl”.
I’ll be your back-up, you sing lead,
And we’ll bring everyone,
Up to speed.
It was just another Chopper ride,
But never this far west.
We may as well pray,
Get more stuff off our chests.
Where did we go?
We don’t really know.
We belong to the long list,
Of “don’t need to know”.
Not a word.
Stare. Say a prayer.
Men are stone,
It may all end in the air.
We have only the clue,
“We’ve never been here before”.
As butts are clinched,
On the chopper’s floor.
We’re usually not in the fire,
As choppers set us down.
A field of fire and landing zone,
Are carved on the ground.
We’re off the bird,
As others land,
And they get off,
As fast as they can.
Down this peak,
To another river of creeks,
And rapids are formed,
From drops and leaks.
Unlock and unload,
And put the safeties on.
Hold rifles across the stream,
Or down the rapids you’re gone.
Boot camp memories return,
So many things it teaches,
Like Marines are their brothers keepers,
Who pick off each others leeches.
Walk point.
Go where no man has gone before.
Lock and load.
Take the safety off once more.
Davis, you and Watson,
Go back to the rear.
Help those you can,
Then return here.
There may be casualties,
Find out, come back.
Leave everything heavy,
Especially your pack.
It’s been an endless stream,
This battalion of men.
And darkness and fatigue,
Must put this search to an end.
Voices in the dark,
A rifle’s spark,
A dive into water,
Just another walk in the park.
Snipers and firefights,
Are plenty and too many,
Friendly fire,
Is as deadly as any.
I’m immersed in water,
As a thought runs to me.
Did the shot miss,
Or go right through me?
Thanks for not killing us.
Are there any Marines behind?
Are you the last?
What else will we find?
There may still be Marines.
Some injured were taken back.
Not knowing for certain,
Rodney and I backtrack.
Danger overcomes the darkness.
We will wait for light.
And we’ll wait out the night,
To live for another day to fight.
Wet clothes, jungle boots,
Flack-jacket, M16.
No C-Rations,
Not a bean.
Wet cigarettes,
Are hard to light,
And very hazardous to health,
When smoked at night.
On a rock,
In the middle of a rapid stream,
We settled for the night,
Per-chance to dream.
Soft drinks and ice-cream,
Run through my head,
As I toss and turn,
On this hard rock bed.
Between a rock and a hard place,
What is there to hold dear?
But thoughts of “what if Bette,
Or my family were here?”
There are trials to prove,
What we are and what we’re not.
Like here in Laos between,
A rock and a hard spot.
We’ll start out just before dawn,
While everything is dark.
After all,
It’s just another walk in the park.
We’re just two guys,
Trying to gain back some ground,
Give us two steps Charles,
And we’re out of town.
Our battalion,
Was leaving a trail behind.
C4, a mortar round, a 45 pistol,
Were among things we would find.
As quiet as two Marines in Laos,
Away we tore,
We hopped skipped and jumped,
As the rain began to pour.
And what’s the proper way,
To catch a battalion of grunts?
For the last of the battalion,
Hunts the hunter who hunts.
We track and seek our own.
And to what sounds up ahead,
Do we identify ourselves,
And not lose our heads?
We have to know without doubt.
Furtively we near.
And when we’re sure,
That they can hear,
“God bless America!
...................................Semper Fi!
Duke, Duke, Duke,
...............................Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke
......................Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke
......................Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke
As I
......walk through this world,
Nothing can stop
.............................the Duke of Earl.”
But that story and song,
......................................go on and along.
I just wish you, Rodney,
........................................would finish the song.
Yo Rodney, if I looked in your eyes,
Opened wide,
Would you be there,
On the other side?
Smile at me Rodney.
Show me that “grin within”.
Tell me, “This is another fine mess,
You’ve gotten me in.”
Show off that gold tooth.
I’d love to see that gold star.
It’s another unique feature,
That says who you are.
Let’s sing a bit,
Play some “whist”.
Tell some lies,
About girls we kissed.
Rodney Brother Man,
Did you make it back to the world?
I’ll know, for sure, if I hear,
The Duke of Earl.
God bless Brother Rodney,
~Micky Dee~
The Duke of Earl-Gene Chandler!
More hubs of truth by Micky Dee:
Con Thien, The Hill of Angels, Health-care
Vietnam 1968-1969 Or Was It Yesterday?
Micky vs the Volcano- and the God of "Xs" and "Os"!
José Doroteo Arango Arámbula-Pancho Villa
Ode To Anne Moody-Civil Rights Activist
Putting Christ Back In The Schools!?
False Prophets-False Religions
Coincidences Of The World Trade Center 9/11
America's Forefathers And True History!
Pharaoh Ramesses II And The Battle Of Kadesh-The Earlier Art Of Spin And Propaganda
"Fly this flag, and no soldier will ever fire at you."
Is there more than one way to God?
