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The Dawn Patrol

Dawn was breaking slowly,
Our patrol was on the line,
With engines ticking over,
In rhythm with the time,
Silently we watched and waited
For the brief command.
That would send us on our deadly journey,
Far above the land.

The squadron leaders lowly voice,
Still ringing in our ears,
Made us feel determined,
To banish all our fears,
‘Men’ he said quite softly,
‘Good Luck’ and do your best,
This is for our country,
And our comrades laid to rest.

Knowingly, 'twas just like hours,
The arm was raised on high,
The engines roared in full salute,
A message to the sky.
When raising up into the blue,
The leader gave a smile,
It’s followed in close pursuit,
His patrol in perfect style.

Our straining nerves were not at ease,
We gave our guns the test,
Consoling in our silent thoughts,
That one must come out best,
But, suddenly, fate took a hand,
In the form of hostile planes,
It’s diving on as through the clouds,
Our leader burst into flames.

He descended in the fiery hill,
And gave a farewell wave,
His mocking laugh rang in our ears,
‘Men’, show them that you’re brave.
Inspired with his dying words,
We dived into the fray,
With guns and cannons spitting death,
We vowed they dearly pay.

And amidst the raging battle,
Their battered remnants fled,
In triumph and in victory,
Their leader’ spirit led,
And when on landing rapidly home,
Then only did we learn,
Tara’s through the Lord’s almighty will,
Thru did no return.

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