It happened many years ago, to a younger man than I,

He really did not have to go, but he really had to try.
 

We were lying on the ground and we looked up in the sky

The southern cross was shining bright, and the moon was on the rise.
 

Joseph was bleeding, and I could not stop the flow

Joseph was dying, he and I did know.
 

Joseph was lying there and he never made a sound,

The enemy was close at hand and he laid his body down.
 

Joseph oh Joseph what are you dying for?

Why did you come across the sea to fight in this damn war?
 

Joseph oh Joseph please do not die for me

My soul is going with you now and I never shall be free.
 

Joseph spoke to me and he never said a word

Everything that Joseph thought is everything I heard.
 

Joseph was lying there and his eyes were open wide.

The last thing that Joseph saw, I was by his side.
 

We were lying on the ground and we looked up in the sky

The southern cross was shining bright and the moon was in Joseph's eyes
 

Many years have gone since then and I still recall

The night that Joseph died for me, the night I saw him fall.
 

Joseph has been calling me, I answered his call,

He led me to a sacred place and his name is on the Wall.
 

One day I will join him, we will both be in the sky,

We will be the Southern Cross and the moon that's on the rise.
 
 
 

Written by Thomas E. Shainline

In Memory of Pfc. Joseph P. Naimo, Jr.

KIA September 14, 1968

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