P.T. 109

Performed by Jimmy Dean
Recorded 1962
Written by M. Wilkin & F. Burch

In '43 they put to sea
Thirteen men and Kennedy
Aboard the PT 109
To fight the brazen enemy
And off the isle of Olasana
In the straight beyond Naru
A Jap destroyer in the night
Cut the 109 in two

Smoke and fire upon the sea
Everywhere they looked was the enemy

The heathen gods of old Japan
Yeah they thought had the best
Of a mighty good man
And on the coast of Kolombangara
Looking through this telescope
Australian Evans saw the battle
For the crew had little hope

Two were dead and some were wounded
All were clinging to the bow
Fightin' fire and flightin' water
Trying to save themselves somehow

Smoke and fire upon the sea...

McMahon the Irishman was burned
So badly he couldn't swim
Leave me here go on he said
'Cause if you don't we'll all be dead
The PT skipper couldn't leave him
A man to die alone at sea
And with a strap between his teeth
He towed the Irishman through the sea

Smoke and fire upon the sea...

[ flute ]

He led his men through waters dark
Rocky reefs and hungry sharks
He braved the enemy's bayonets
A thirty eight hung round his neck
Four more days and four more nights
A rescue boat pulled into sight
The PT 109 was gone but Kennedy
And his crew lived on

Now who could guess
Who could possibly know
That same man named Kennedy
Would be the leader of the nation
Be the one to take command
The PT 109 was gone
But Kennedy lived to fight again

Smoke and fire upon the sea
everywhere they looked was the enemy
But JFK and his crew lived on

Which proves it's hard to get
The best of a man named John

(Big John Big John
Big John
Big John
Big John
Big John)

[lyrics transcribed by listening. Send corrections via the contact link on the main page]