(Verse 1) Above the clouds on a bitter cold flight, The B-17 flew through the endless night. "Ye Olde Pub," her name, a fortress in the air, With courage and steel, her crew laid it bare. Over Bremen's skies, where the flak storms tore, Their bomber trembled, struck to the core. Engines failing, hope ran thin, But they swore this fight—they'd never give in. (Chorus) Through the fire, through the pain, In the shadows of war’s disdain. A silver bird, with broken wing, Carried the prayers of those who sing. "Ye Olde Pub" stood proud and true, A tale of skies that history knew. (Verse 2) Out of the mist came a Messerschmitt's glare, A fighter’s roar tearing the frozen air. Franz Stigler, the hunter, bore his deadly mark, But something stirred deep in his heart so stark. He saw the wounded, the weary, the fight, The battered bomber clinging to flight. No kill today, his conscience swayed, For humanity’s call he obeyed. (Chorus) Through the fire, through the pain, In the shadows of war’s disdain. A silver bird, with broken wing, Carried the prayers of those who sing. "Ye Olde Pub" stood proud and true, A tale of skies that history knew. (Bridge) Side by side, two enemies flew, One with mercy, the other with rue. A silent escort, a fleeting truce, In the chaos of war, a gentle excuse. Franz tipped his wings, then vanished away, A moment of grace in the fray. (Verse 3) The crew looked back, in awe, in disbelief, An enemy spared them, granting relief. Over the sea, they made their way, To fight another, yet live that day. Years later, when all was said, Their stories brought the past from the dead. A meeting of souls, on earthly ground, The tale of mercy came full round. (Chorus) Through the fire, through the pain, In the shadows of war’s disdain. A silver bird, with broken wing, Carried the prayers of those who sing. "Ye Olde Pub" stood proud and true, A tale of skies that history knew. (Outro) In the halls of time, their names shall rest, Where valor and mercy were put to the test. A B-17 and a German ace, Bound by a fleeting moment of grace. Let the world remember, let the story be sung, Of "Ye Olde Pub" and the mercy won.
