DESCRIPTION:
Nineteen young Arizona firefighters died this past weekend (June 30th, 2013) fighting the Yarnell Hill fire in Yarnell, AZ (northwest of Phoenix near Prescott). While reading some of the articles about the firefighters, I came across a tribute poem by Mae Stein, a local poet. The graphic you see is her original poem. With a moment of inspiration, I quickly threw together a song which I titled "Nineteen". The lyrics I wrote are based on Stein's poem.

This recording is pretty raw. I didn't do any editing for errors (there is an annoying rattling string that plagued me throughout, but I left it in there), and mastering of the tracks is at a minimum, so it's essentially what you would get at a live performance.

This tribute is my small contribution to honor these brave men. Please include their families and friends in you prayers and thoughts.

"Nineteen"
Music and lyrics by JC Cole.
Lyrics based on a poem by Mae Stein.

Arizona burns, it also bleeds.
Weather dried trees, the fire feeds.
Ravaged land, ravaged hearts.
A bolt of lightning this fire starts.

Good men, young and brave,
Risked it all, our land to save.
Died on Yarnell Hill with a firefightin' will.
Nineteen.

Wildfires 'round, strong winds blew.
Savin' our hill, the strong brave crew.
Took their place, a fire to fight,
Arizona burned through day and night.

Good men, young and brave,
Risked it all, our land to save.
Died on Yarnell Hill with a firefightin' will.
Nineteen.

Good men, young and brave,
Risked it all, our land to save.
Died on Yarnell Hill with a firefightin' will.
Nineteen.

God will reward, their achievement done.
Perished in fire, in a hope to save some.

Good men, young and brave,
Risked it all, our land to save.
Died on Yarnell Hill with a firefightin' will.

Good men, young and brave,
Risked it all, our land to save.
Died on Yarnell Hill with a firefightin' will.
Nineteen.

2013, JC Cole, all rights reserved.