SKY PILOT
Written by Eric Burdon, Vic Briggs, John Weider, Barry Jenkins, Danny McCulloch
As recorded by Eric Burdon and the Animals, February 1968.

He blesses the boys as they stand in line
They smell of gun grease and their bayonets they shine.
He's there to help them all that he can
To make them feel wanted; he's a good holy man.

CHORUS: Sky pilot,
Sky pilot,
How high can you fly?
You never, never, never reach the sky.

He smiles at the young soldiers, tells them it's all right
He knows of their fear in the forthcoming fight.
Soon there'll be blood, and many will die.
Mothers and fathers back home they will cry. CHORUS

He mumbles a prayer, and it ends with a smile.
The order is given; they move down the line.
But he'll stay behind and he'll meditate,
But it won't stop the bleeding, or ease the hate.

As the young men move out into the battle zone,
He feels good; with God, you're never alone.
He feels so tired, and he lays on his bed,
Hopes the men will find courage in the words that he said. CHORUS

"You're soldiers of God, you must understand.
The fate of your country is in your young hands.
May God give you strength; do your job real well.
If it all was worth it, only time it will tell."

In the morning they return with tears in their eyes.
The stench of death drifts up to the skies.
A young soldier so ill looks at the sky pilot,
Remembers the words "Thou shalt not kill."

CHORUS 2x