Dawson's Christian Words and music by Duane ElmsAm C Jayme Dawson was the captain of the Christian and her crew G Am G And he flew and fought the Christian in the War of '82. Am C Now the Christian was the tightest ship 'tween here and Charlemagne, G Em Am And the crew of Jayme Dawson was the same. Am C On patrol in sector seven, keeping watch on Barber's sun, G Am G They were jumped by three light cruisers though they weren't a match for one. Am C As they came to general quarters and they sent out the alarm G Em Am Dawson's crew was sure they'd finally bought the farm. Am C No one living saw that battle though the fleet was quick to leave. G Am G When they reached the site they found a scene no sane man could believe. Am C Dead in space lay three light cruisers, cut to ribbons all around G Em Am But no sign of Dawson's Christian could be found. C Am C Am There are stories of the Dutchman, the Celeste and Barnam's Pride G Am G There are stories of the Horseman and the Lady at his side C Am C Am But the tale that chills my spirit, more because I know it's true G Em Am Is the tale of Jayme Dawson and his crew G Em Am Yes, the tale of Dawson's Christian and her crew. Am C I was second mate on Hera's Dream, a freighter of the line G Am G We were shipping precious metals to the colony on Nine Am C It was on the second watch of that most uneventful flight G Em Am When the pirate ships appeared out of the night. Am C Now to me there was no question, for they had us four to one G Am G And you can't fight dirty pirates when your freighter has no gun Am C So we stood by to be boarded by a party yet unseen G Em Am When another ship appeared upon our screen. Am C First we thought it just a pirate, but the vector was all wrong G Am G Then we thought it might be rescue, but the signal wasn't strong Am C When she didn't answer hailing, we all felt an unknown dread G Em Am For we saw her shields were up and glowing red. Am C Now the courage of that single ship is shown by very few G Am G But we never knew a ship could fly the way the stranger flew Am C Never fearing guns or number, like a tiger to its meat G Em Am The stranger then attacked the pirate fleet. C Am C Am And the stranger's beams burned brighter than all beams I'd seen before G Am G And the stranger's shields were harder than the heart of any whore C Am C Am As the battle rent the ether, while we watched and shook our heads G Em Am The pirate ships were cut to bloody shreds G Em Am The pirate ships were cut to bloody shreds. Am C Just as quickly as it started then the fighting was all done G Am G For the pirate fleet was shattered and the stranger's ship had won Am C Though we tried to call and thank her, not an answer could we draw G Em Am Then she dropped her shields and this is what we saw. Am C There were thirty holes clear through her and a gash along one side G Am G And we knew that when it happened, that no crew were left alive Am C For the markings all said Christian, deep inside us each one knew G Em Am 'Twas the tomb of Jayme Dawson and his crew. Am C Now instead of flying off, the stranger then began to fade G Am G First the hull and then the bulkheads as we cowered there afraid Am C For, as the Christian disappeared, the last to slip from view G Em Am Were the bones of Jayme Dawson and his crew. G Em Am Yes, the bones of Jayme Dawson and his crew. C Am C Am There are stories of the Dutchman, the Celeste and Barnam's Pride G Am G There are stories of the Horseman and the Lady at his side C Am C Am But the tale that chills my spirit, more because I know it's true G Em Am Is the tale of Jayme Dawson and his crew G Em Am Yes, the tale of Dawson's Christian and her crew.