Audie Murphy, soldier, actor,songsmith,
He won every military medal his country could give.
Audie Leon Murphy (June 20, 1924 – May 28, 1971)
A hoe and a plough he was born to steer,
In order to eat and bring good cheer,
all day long in the sweltering sun,
such is the lot of a share croppers son.
Baby faced Murph and brothers too,
sweated it out without fuss, ado,
keeping the young ones happy, fed,
awaiting dusk then exhausted to bed.
Across the pond on foreign soil,
a man named Hitler started to spoil,
pinching land, on the make,
all before him started to shake.
The winds of war caught Murphy’s ears,
at just 16, so tender in years,
the Marines refused him, told him no,
but Murphy determined to give it a go.
To the Army office he showed his face,
his sharp shooting skill noted apace,
he fainted, collapsed on his first foot drill,
not really the stuff to give Hitler a chill.
As a post office clerk they gave him a slot,
sorting mail would be his little lot,
overseas he went at last,
a chance he saw to give it a blast.
To Morocco, Sicily ,Italy too,
upon Anzio beach his talents grew,
the kid from Texas began to grow,
the army was in for the Lord Mayors Show.
Promoted to Sergeant quick as a flash,
baby faced Murph showed nerve, dash,
guts galore under enemy fire,
even wounded he would not retire.
In just twelve months under fire,
a Lieutenants pip he would acquire,
punching a rookie on a fiery day,
forgetting the rules in the heat of fray.
In Operation Anvil for the freedom of France,
he sure led the Germans a merry dance,
north to Strasbourg his luck would fail,
a dangerous wound would leave him frail,
240 enemy was his final toll,
a soldiers soldier in heart, soul,
In '71 he fell from the sky,
a faulty plane caused him to die.
In Arlington Cemetery this great soldier lies,
his people pass with respect, sighs,
never again will this planet see,
a supreme warrior as mighty as he.
John 'jobee' Bishop -El Gamil Club.
Music career
In addition to acting, Murphy also became successful as a country music songwriter. teaming up with such talented musicians and composers as Guy Mitchell, Jimmy Bryant, Scott Turner, Coy Ziegler, and Terri Eddleman. Murphy's songs were recorded and released by such performers as Dean Martin, Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, Jimmy Bryant, Porter Waggoner, Jerry Wallace, Roy Clark, and Harry Nilsson. His two biggest hits were "Shutters and Boards" and "When the Wind Blows in Chicago". Eddy Arnold recorded the latter for his 1983 RCA album, Last of the Love Song Singers
jb
Poems by Audie Murphy
THE CROSSES GROW ON ANZIO
Oh, gather 'round me, comrades; and listen while I speak
Of a war, a war, a war where hell is six feet deep.
Along the shore, the cannons roar. Oh how can a soldier sleep?
The going's slow on Anzio. And hell is six feet deep.
Praise be to God for this captured sod that rich with blood does seep.
With yours and mine, like butchered swine's; and hell is six feet deep.
That death awaits there's no debate; no triumph will we reap.
The crosses grow on Anzio, where hell is six feet deep.
. . . Audie Murphy, 1948
ALONE AND FAR REMOVED
Alone and far removed from earthly care
The noble ruins of men lie buried here.
You were strong men, good men
Endowed with youth and much the will to live
I hear no protest from the mute lips of the dead.
They rest; there is no more to give.
So long my comrades,
Sleep ye where you fell upon the field.
But tread softly please
March o'er my heart with ease
March on and on,
But to God alone we kneel.
. . . Audie Murphy
FREEDOM FLIES IN YOUR HEART
LIKE AN EAGLE
Dusty old helmet, rusty old gun,
They sit in the corner and wait -
Two souvenirs of the Second World War
That have withstood the time, and the hate.
Mute witness to a time of much trouble.
Where kill or be killed was the law -
Were these implements used with high honor?
What was the glory they saw?
Many times I've wanted to ask them -
And now that we're here all alone,
Relics all three of a long ago war -
Where has freedom gone?
Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle.
Let it soar with the winds high above
Among the spirits of soldiers now sleeping,
Guard it with care and with love.
I salute my old friends in the corner,
I agree with all they have said -
And if the moment of truth comes tomorrow,
I'll be free, or By God, I'll be dead!
. . . Audie Murphy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAzm8C1wBEE
He won every military medal his country could give.
Audie Leon Murphy (June 20, 1924 – May 28, 1971)
A hoe and a plough he was born to steer,
In order to eat and bring good cheer,
all day long in the sweltering sun,
such is the lot of a share croppers son.
Baby faced Murph and brothers too,
sweated it out without fuss, ado,
keeping the young ones happy, fed,
awaiting dusk then exhausted to bed.
Across the pond on foreign soil,
a man named Hitler started to spoil,
pinching land, on the make,
all before him started to shake.
The winds of war caught Murphy’s ears,
at just 16, so tender in years,
the Marines refused him, told him no,
but Murphy determined to give it a go.
To the Army office he showed his face,
his sharp shooting skill noted apace,
he fainted, collapsed on his first foot drill,
not really the stuff to give Hitler a chill.
As a post office clerk they gave him a slot,
sorting mail would be his little lot,
overseas he went at last,
a chance he saw to give it a blast.
To Morocco, Sicily ,Italy too,
upon Anzio beach his talents grew,
the kid from Texas began to grow,
the army was in for the Lord Mayors Show.
Promoted to Sergeant quick as a flash,
baby faced Murph showed nerve, dash,
guts galore under enemy fire,
even wounded he would not retire.
In just twelve months under fire,
a Lieutenants pip he would acquire,
punching a rookie on a fiery day,
forgetting the rules in the heat of fray.
In Operation Anvil for the freedom of France,
he sure led the Germans a merry dance,
north to Strasbourg his luck would fail,
a dangerous wound would leave him frail,
240 enemy was his final toll,
a soldiers soldier in heart, soul,
In '71 he fell from the sky,
a faulty plane caused him to die.
In Arlington Cemetery this great soldier lies,
his people pass with respect, sighs,
never again will this planet see,
a supreme warrior as mighty as he.
John 'jobee' Bishop -El Gamil Club.
Music career
In addition to acting, Murphy also became successful as a country music songwriter. teaming up with such talented musicians and composers as Guy Mitchell, Jimmy Bryant, Scott Turner, Coy Ziegler, and Terri Eddleman. Murphy's songs were recorded and released by such performers as Dean Martin, Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, Jimmy Bryant, Porter Waggoner, Jerry Wallace, Roy Clark, and Harry Nilsson. His two biggest hits were "Shutters and Boards" and "When the Wind Blows in Chicago". Eddy Arnold recorded the latter for his 1983 RCA album, Last of the Love Song Singers
jb
Poems by Audie Murphy
THE CROSSES GROW ON ANZIO
Oh, gather 'round me, comrades; and listen while I speak
Of a war, a war, a war where hell is six feet deep.
Along the shore, the cannons roar. Oh how can a soldier sleep?
The going's slow on Anzio. And hell is six feet deep.
Praise be to God for this captured sod that rich with blood does seep.
With yours and mine, like butchered swine's; and hell is six feet deep.
That death awaits there's no debate; no triumph will we reap.
The crosses grow on Anzio, where hell is six feet deep.
. . . Audie Murphy, 1948
ALONE AND FAR REMOVED
Alone and far removed from earthly care
The noble ruins of men lie buried here.
You were strong men, good men
Endowed with youth and much the will to live
I hear no protest from the mute lips of the dead.
They rest; there is no more to give.
So long my comrades,
Sleep ye where you fell upon the field.
But tread softly please
March o'er my heart with ease
March on and on,
But to God alone we kneel.
. . . Audie Murphy
FREEDOM FLIES IN YOUR HEART
LIKE AN EAGLE
Dusty old helmet, rusty old gun,
They sit in the corner and wait -
Two souvenirs of the Second World War
That have withstood the time, and the hate.
Mute witness to a time of much trouble.
Where kill or be killed was the law -
Were these implements used with high honor?
What was the glory they saw?
Many times I've wanted to ask them -
And now that we're here all alone,
Relics all three of a long ago war -
Where has freedom gone?
Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle.
Let it soar with the winds high above
Among the spirits of soldiers now sleeping,
Guard it with care and with love.
I salute my old friends in the corner,
I agree with all they have said -
And if the moment of truth comes tomorrow,
I'll be free, or By God, I'll be dead!
. . . Audie Murphy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAzm8C1wBEE
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