Uncle Pete

just a boy eighteen
the second World War called Pete
join the United States Navy

he spent five years out to sea
with a crew of seven hundred and fifty
upon the dark pacific sea

when off the coast of guadal-canal
they didn't have time to sound the bell
Japanese planes came by surprise

their guns bore down under a shield of night
Pete took his station and fired up the sky
only to see the damage done
only to hear the call of run

Pete, Pete come on get out
Pete, Pete we're going down
there's not much time, before this ship is gonna drown

they closed the hatches just to buy some time
while screams of men still echoed from inside
and pierced the deck, where his best friend laid to die

No, no, no, Charlie boy
don't you go, go, go
it's not your time
we're too young to die

Pete, Pete come on get out Pete, Pete we're going down
there's not much time, and it's time to save yourself

talking about it made you cry
but i saw it all welled up in your eyes
survived a wife, two daughters and a son
we laid you in the ground but your story still lives on

(In memory of Peter Kamstra)