Henry’s Letter from the Front
Narrators: Thomas Vale, Henry Stamp

Thomas: I told Henry I was terrified to die
‘Cause that was no way to die
I wouldn’t lie and say I was eighteen
And go and fight the Great War overseas
Henry was my best friend
Growing up outside of Lexington;
But he called me a coward and slammed my door
When I wouldn’t follow him to war
Henry: Thomas, I killed a Kraut today;
I ran him through with my bayonet
As he tried to reload his Mauser carbine
He was the last of his brigade—
We burned the rest, trapped in their trenches
And as the skin melted off their bodies
I knew you had to know
I’m sorry I called you a coward

O my God
O my God
I’m really gonna die
I’m really gonna die
My feet rot in my boots;
I taste sulfur on my tongue;
Piles of skulls, piles of helmets
Horses’ skeletons, and guns
Someone’s blood under my nails;
Someone’s spit in my lungs;
I’m really gonna die
I’m really gonna die
I don’t know what I believe
I never found out
I’m really gonna die
I’m really gonna die

O my God!
O my God!
I’m really gonna die
I’m really gonna—