We buried Jim the other day
under skies that mirrored heads turned gray
Twenty-some brothers and a sister showed
with pipes and rifles for a flag's last fold
Now, who's going to pipe for the piper?
The piper led us in a slow half-step
with a chief's lament, at our request
The flags were lowered to half-staff place
then the piper played ‘Amazing Grace”
So, who's going to pipe for the piper?
Jim's widow was there to accept the flag
presented with love and a nation's thanks
His family, friends and the chaplain asked
our God to welcome Jim home, at last
But, who's going to pipe for the piper
Our days progress to DEROS II
the short-timer’s stick has notched a few
That Freedom Bird's last flight will come
and this brotherhood inevitably done
Then, who's going to pipe for the piper?
Aye, the piper's pipes are blowing thin
and energy fades like a wispy wind
But the saga of what was done back then
must never be left to baseless men
Will you not pipe for the piper
If we don't affirm our love for our own
by telling the world what was truly done
Then the kin of the kin that we once knew
will lose their dower to the unworthy few
And no one will pipe for the piper.
