Trooper’s Lament

Come all ye young maidens
And hear my sad tale
'Bout a brave young trooper, who sure did fail
As he went up into the cloudy sky
He sang a sad song on his way to die
He sang, "My love, is far-far from me
Far beyond the South China Sea
I left her there, with a tear in her eye
For I must go where brave men die"

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Yes, I must go where brave men die

As he went out of the plane into the stormy night
I saw the young trooper in a burst of fiery light
As he fell through the night, his chute all in flame
A smile on his lips, he cried out his girl's name
We found the young trooper, no longer will he be sore
From the great iron bird, he'll jump no more
His face was pale, as pure as milk
And we wrapped him 'round in parachute silk

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Yes, we wrapped him 'round in parachute silk

So all ye young maidens, come listen to me
Never love a paratrooper, you'll never be free
For some dark night when he falls through the sky
His chute will not open, your love will die

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
His chute will not open, your love will die