Table of Contents

Where Has Freedom Gone?

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.

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?"

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?

"Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle,

let it soar with the high winds 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.

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 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.

1948

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’s rich where blood does seep;

With yours and mine, like butchered swine;

and hell is six feet deep.

That death does wait there's no debate;

no triumph will we reap

The crosses grow on Anzio,

where hell is six feet deep.

1948

Audie Leon Murphy (1924-1971)

There are a number of web pages devoted to Brother Murphy. This material is compiled from several, including a semi-anonymous one by David and Wikipedia.
okl.

Audie Murphy was born on June 20, 1924 near Kingston, Texas, the 7th of 12 children. He rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II, with 33 awards and decorations: every decoration for valor that his country had to offer, some of them more than once, and 5 decorations by France and Belgium.

In the later part of his life, he went on to have a successful movie career, including the extremely popular "To Hell and Back" (1955), based on his memoir of the same name.

In 1955 Murphy became interested in Freemasonry. He was encouraged by his close friend, Texas theater owner Skipper Cherry, to petition and join the Masonic Order in California. He returned to Texas to become a 32d degree Scottish Rite Mason and to join the Shriners. He was active in various Masonic events and was a member in good standing for the remainder of his life.

In addition to Audie's military and acting talents, he was also a songwriter who wrote the lyrics for fourteen songs and collaborated on three instrumentals. The two notable ones were "Shutters and Boards" and "When The Wind Blows In Chicago," which were in the top ten songs on the Hit Parade for several weeks. Audie collaborated with Scott Turner for the composition of these songs which were recorded by Brother Roy Clark, Dean Martin, Teresa Brewer, Jimmy Dean, Jerry Wallace, Brother Eddy Arnold and many, many others.

Murphy was killed in a plane crash on May 28, 1971.