Oh, Hedy Lamar is a beautiful gal
Madeline Carroll is too
But you’ll find if you query a much different theory
Amongst any bomber crew
That the loveliest thing of which one can sing
This side of the heavenly gates
Is no blonde or brunette of the Hollywood set
But an escort of P-38s

In all the days past when the tables were massed
With glasses of scotch and champagne
It’s quite true that that sight was a thing to delight us
Intent on feeling no pain
But no longer the same nowadays in this game
As we sail onto the missing state
Take your sparkling wine but always make mine
An escort of P-38s

Byron, Shelley and Keats ran each other dead heats
Describing the views from the hills
Of the valleys in May where the winds gently sway
An army of bright daffodils
Take your daffodils Byron, the wild flowers Shelley
Yours is the myrtle, friend Keats
Just preserve me those cuties
All American beauties
An escort of P-38s

Sure we’re braver than hell on the ground all is well
In the air it’s a much different story
As we sweat out our track through the fighters and flak
We’re willing to split up the glory
Well, they wouldn’t reject us so heaven protect us
Until all this shootin’ abates
Give us courage to fight ‘em and another small item
An escort of P-38s


source: Squadron Signal "P-38 in action", internet version: http://www.tankbooks.com/poems/odetoap38.htm