FLYING FORTRESS — BRING US HOME

[Intro — shouted male vocals; engine roar into crushing guitars] FOUR ENGINES! TEN MEN! BRING US HOME AGAIN! [Verse 1 — deep, gritty male vocals; galloping rhythm] English mud beneath our boots, Another briefing before dawn. I tuck your picture in my jacket; You’re still sleeping when we’re gone. The crew chief knocks against the fuselage, Then drops down from the wing. Four engines shake the waking fields— You can’t hear yourself think. [Pre-Chorus — rising strings; pounding toms] We climb until the fields disappear, Until the frost grows on the glass. Ten voices checking on the wire— Then the coastline falls behind our backs. [Chorus — explosive, soaring male lead; massive male choir] FLYING FORTRESS! THUNDER IN THE SKY! Hold us in your battered wings— We’re not ready yet to die! Through the flak and through the fire, Where the daylight turns to coal— FLYING FORTRESS! BRING US HOME! Bring these ten men home! [Verse 2 — urgent, aggressive; tightening guitars] Black bursts walk across the formation; A ship rolls over on our right. I count the chutes beneath her belly Till she disappears from sight. “Hold her steady!” calls the bombardier; The whole world strikes against our skin. Then the bomb bay empties underneath— Now turn this ship for home again! [Pre-Chorus — ascending male harmonies] Number three is bleeding oil; The feathered prop goes still. The others pull against the damage— I hold the wheel with all my will! [Chorus — full choir; thunderous double kick] FLYING FORTRESS! THUNDER IN THE SKY! Hold us in your battered wings— We’re not ready yet to die! Through the flak and through the fire, Where the daylight turns to coal— FLYING FORTRESS! BRING US HOME! Bring these ten men home! [Bridge — half-time; low strings; tense radio-filtered male vocal] “Tail gunner—answer.” Only static in my ear. “Tail gunner—answer!” Then a whisper— “Still here.” [Building — gritty sung lead] The navigator holds a dressing To the waist gunner’s side. He says, “You owe me drinks in London.” The kid says, “Then keep me alive.” [Breakdown — crushing guitars; shouted male gang vocals] HOLD FAST! STAY WITH ME! THERE’S THE COAST— BEYOND THE SEA! HOLD FAST! WE’RE NOT THROUGH! I’M BRINGING EVERY ONE OF YOU! [Guitar Solo — harmonized twin leads over galloping drums; 16 bars] [Final Verse — exposed baritone; drums gradually return] The wheels come down like tired fists; The runway rises through the rain. She shudders hard beneath our bodies— But she holds us once again. Ten men climb into the evening; One needs two of us to stand. I turn and lay my shaking fingers On the scars along her flank. [Final Chorus — towering male lead; full orchestra and choir] FLYING FORTRESS! THUNDER IN THE SKY! You held us in your battered wings When the fire climbed so high! For the crews beyond the water, For the friends who won’t grow old— FLYING FORTRESS! WE BROUGHT THEM HOME! All their names— We brought them home! [Outro — instruments cut; deep male voice, then final band strike] Four engines. Ten men. One more dawn. BRING US HOME!