Radio Paradise (mobile)

My name is Dodge but then you know that
It's written on the chart there at the foot end of the of the bed
They think I'm blind that I can't read it
I've read it every word and every word it says is death
So confession Is that the reason that you came
Get it off my chest before I check out of the game
Since you mention it well there's thirteen things I'll name
Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters
August 49 North Montana
The hottest day on record the forest tinder dry
Lightning strikes in the mountains
I was crew chief at the jump base
I prepared the boys to fly
Pick the drop zone C47 comes in low
Feel the tap upon your leg that tells you go
See the circle of the fire down below
Fifteen of us dropped above the cold Missouri waters
Gauged the fire I'd seen bigger
So I ordered them to side hill we'd fight it from below
We'd have our backs to the river
We'd have it licked by morning even if we took it slow
But the fire crowned jumped the valley just ahead
There was no way down headed for the ridge instead
Too big to fight it we'd have to fight that slope instead
Flames one step behind above the cold Missouri waters
Sky had turned red smoke was boiling
Two hundred yards to saftey
Death was fifty yards behind
I don't know why I just thought it
I struck a match to waist high grass running out of time
Tried to tell them step into this fire I've set
We can't make it this is the only chance you'll get
But they cursed me
Ran for the rocks above instead
I lay face down and prayed above the cold Missouri waters
Then when I rose like the phoenix
In that world reduced to ashes
There was none but two survived
I stayed that night and one day after
Carried bodies to the river
Wondering how I stayed alive
Thirteen stations of the cross to mark their fall
I've had my say I'll confess to nothing more
I'll join them now those that they left me long before
Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters

TerryS Apr 17, 2013 - 20:46	I've seen James Keelaghan sing this song several times, this version is but a pallid imitation. [ Reply ]
toterola Apr 17, 2013 - 19:36	I was thinking about these folks the other day. Too cool! [ Reply ]
lawman Mar 11, 2009 - 04:13	Cry Cry Cry? How come that guy gets to drive around with those two cool chicks? No wonder he looks so ... quietly happy. [ Reply ]
onerb Mar 11, 2009 - 04:11	Fantastic to hear this on the radio. Heard RS perform it live in Bloomfield, CT. Thanks! [ Reply ]
phoenix Feb 25, 2008 - 14:22	This song is one of my favorites. The storytelling is powerful; I can imagine the scene, the tragedy, and the mixture of emotions Dodge might have felt. It makes me feel ... [ Reply ]
Marr May 04, 2006 - 11:16	physicsgenius wrote: Where's the part that explains why this song is so lame? Clearly opinions run pretty positively on this song. Nice lyrics, beautiful harmonies and a true story origin seem to have plucked a chord with many of the folks that have heard this song. The fact that the chord you hear plucked sounds sour may have more to do with having a tin ear. By the way, it seems like your criticisms of late have more the qualities of a 6th grader whining than the physicsgenius of old. Where have you gone Joe Physicsgenius-O? Our nation turns its lonely tin ears to you. Whoo whoo who. [ Reply ]
physicsgenius May 03, 2006 - 11:49	mgoldman wrote: I hope I grow up to be as much of a genius as you....The plethora of negative comments get tiresome. The song is based on the book Young Men and Fire by Pulitzer Prize Winner Norman MacLean who wrote A River Runs Through It. Young Men and Fire won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1992 Just so you know, on Aug. 5, 1949, 16 Forest Service smoke jumpers landed at a fire in remote Mann Gulch, Mont. Within an hour, 13 were dead or irrevocably burned, caught in a "blowup"--a rare explosion of wind and flame. The late Norman Maclean grew up in western Montana and worked for the Forest Service in his youth. He visited the site of the blowup; for the next quarter century, the tragedy haunted him. In 1976 he began a serious study of the fire, one that occupied the last 14 years of his life. He enlisted the aid of fire experts, survivors, friends in the Forest Service and reams of official documents. The result is an engrossing account of human fallibility and natural violence. The tragedy was a watershed in Forest Service training. Where's the part that explains why this song is so lame? [ Reply ]
rdyce Mar 18, 2006 - 12:22	A touching story/song....kinda pulled at my heart. [ Reply ]
Xeric Mar 03, 2006 - 18:30	mgoldman wrote: I hope I grow up to be as much of a genius as you....The plethora of negative comments get tiresome. The song is based on the book Young Men and Fire by Pulitzer Prize Winner Norman MacLean who wrote A River Runs Through It. Young Men and Fire won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1992 Just so you know, on Aug. 5, 1949, 16 Forest Service smoke jumpers landed at a fire in remote Mann Gulch, Mont. Within an hour, 13 were dead or irrevocably burned, caught in a "blowup"--a rare explosion of wind and flame. The late Norman Maclean grew up in western Montana and worked for the Forest Service in his youth. He visited the site of the blowup; for the next quarter century, the tragedy haunted him. In 1976 he began a serious study of the fire, one that occupied the last 14 years of his life. He enlisted the aid of fire experts, survivors, friends in the Forest Service and reams of official documents. The result is an engrossing account of human fallibility and natural violence. The tragedy was a watershed in Forest Service training. In addition, those "thirteen crosses high above/ the cold Missouri waters" are still there, accessible by boat and hike. Quite touching, from what I understand. I intend to visit them one summer soon, perhaps this next one. [ Reply ]
mgoldman Mar 03, 2006 - 17:48	I hope I grow up to be as much of a genius as you....The plethora of negative comments get tiresome. The song is based on the book Young Men and Fire by Pulitzer Prize Winner Norman MacLean who wrote A River Runs Through It. Young Men and Fire won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1992 Just so you know, on Aug. 5, 1949, 16 Forest Service smoke jumpers landed at a fire in remote Mann Gulch, Mont. Within an hour, 13 were dead or irrevocably burned, caught in a "blowup"--a rare explosion of wind and flame. The late Norman Maclean grew up in western Montana and worked for the Forest Service in his youth. He visited the site of the blowup; for the next quarter century, the tragedy haunted him. In 1976 he began a serious study of the fire, one that occupied the last 14 years of his life. He enlisted the aid of fire experts, survivors, friends in the Forest Service and reams of official documents. The result is an engrossing account of human fallibility and natural violence. The tragedy was a watershed in Forest Service training. physicsgenius wrote: I was going to excoriate this guy for basically just rhythmically reading a history book to music with little attempt made to make it an actual song, but then I saw the album cover. If this junk gets those babes in the car, more power to him. [ Reply ]
Geecheeboy Mar 03, 2006 - 17:37	CryCryCry made me cry. I heard this song long ago but didnt hear who did it, so lost it. And now here it is! Thanks Bill! Now i can cry my eyes out again. [ Reply ]
Xeric Mar 03, 2006 - 17:37	pianocomposer wrote: It doesn't sound particularly original or interesting to me either. I know there's a tradition in this type of "river" storytelling music, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. As for the girls, many guys (myself included) have used songwriting to get women. I wouldn't be surprised if he has these two under his spell. Musicians are notoriously bad at picking partners. "River" storytelling? Here's an idea--listen to the lyrics before you dismiss them. [ Reply ]
SuperWeh Feb 17, 2006 - 02:04	wow, this is really good. What does it tell you about Western society when Britney Spears is more popular than stuff like this? [ Reply ]
pianocomposer Feb 17, 2006 - 02:02	physicsgenius wrote: I was going to excoriate this guy for basically just rhythmically reading a history book to music with little attempt made to make it an actual song, but then I saw the album cover. If this junk gets those babes in the car, more power to him. It doesn't sound particularly original or interesting to me either. I know there's a tradition in this type of "river" storytelling music, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. As for the girls, many guys (myself included) have used songwriting to get women. I wouldn't be surprised if he has these two under his spell. Musicians are notoriously bad at picking partners. [ Reply ]
Marr Feb 08, 2006 - 11:13	physicsgenius wrote: I was going to excoriate this guy for basically just rhythmically reading a history book to music with little attempt made to make it an actual song, but then I saw the album cover. If this junk gets those babes in the car, more power to him. I'm sure Nancy and Dar like being called "babes" By your typically simplistic viewpoint any song that tells a true story is dull. I guess that explains the mellinia's long popularity of singing story tellers. You sure told them. [ Reply ]
xkolibuul Feb 02, 2006 - 09:11	Wow. An unabashed, undisguised folk tune on RP. I first heard this by James Keeleghan, who I think wrote it, but this cover is better. CryCryCry are, or were, consistently good. More of this please! [ Reply ]
kkanez Feb 02, 2006 - 09:09	I Like it! Thought it was Peter Mayer before I checked the listing. If you like this try Peter Mayer - Midwest's most excellent folksinger/songwriter. RP needs some (more) Peter Mayer! [ Reply ]
physicsgenius Jan 04, 2006 - 04:57	I was going to excoriate this guy for basically just rhythmically reading a history book to music with little attempt made to make it an actual song, but then I saw the album cover. If this junk gets those babes in the car, more power to him. [ Reply ]
Xeric Dec 20, 2005 - 17:43	Rafter101 wrote: First time I heard this song I thought "hmmm, what a wonderful, thoughtful song about a horrible tragedy." After the 30th time , I think, "What a horrible song..." Thanks for the (hurl) reference to the Edmund Fitzgerald... I never quite understand comments like this, when the song in question was apparently last played a month ago, and then six weeks before that to the next most recent time. How seldom would a song have to be played in order not to be "overplayed"? Granted, it may have been played in between there and not commented upon. But I doubt it. [ Reply ]
Adam Nov 21, 2005 - 12:34	mikedill wrote: Love Richard Shindell's voice. Recognized it immediately, but have never heard of Cry Cry Cry. Off to buy the disc. Sweet. Richard Shindell, Dar Williams and Lucy Kaplansky form the trio. Too bad they're not all still together. Saw Richard and Lucy perform together a few years ago, then Dar came through 2 weeks afterward. It was kinda peculiar. Both excellent shows. [ Reply ]