From many States they came to fight,
From one of the world's greatest nations,
From 'Frisco with its Golden Gate,
To Texas with its Prairies wide,
From every walk of life they came,
We knew them all as "Yanks",
Fresh-faced men and women strong,
Who gave us back our pride.

Not knowing what the future held,
Or just what lay in store,
With generous heart, of every creed,
It mattered not who the enemy was.
They didn't give a damn,
They made their mark on history,
That's shared by all of them.

They spread across the Fenlands,
Of an ancient island race,
And with a voice so soft and clear,
And spirits flying high,
They made a statement known to all,
That they were "over here",
And the people of East Anglia
Were blessed and shared their fear.

Seeds of fertile love were set,
Deep within a nation,
Roots grew deep and blossomed,
A common bond was formed,
And character and wisdom
Was tested to extreme,
But when threatened with their freedom
Stood firm and made a team.

The gallant men of the "Mighty 8th"
Changed the colour of the skies,
They made a fortress for us all,
It gave us light and liberty
In which we all could dwell.
They also showed us how to dance
In special ways as well.

In villages and country homes
All around the land
we heard some music, soft and sweet,
Young men from Yale, led by a man
Who left a legacy.
Young people swooned 'neath
"Moonlight"
And danced their fears away.

With planned design, as was their skill,
They took their bombs and heaven's will,
Not only in the dark of night
But in the brilliant light of day.
They carved new legends in the skies
And redefined how wars are fought,
They laid foundations for all time,
It was done by men of a special kind.

We stand on ground where angels flew
Into the jaws of Hell,
They made the supreme sacrifice
In action, word, and deed.
What price freedom now we ask?
Did they pay too high a price?
Just look around the world today,
And sleep tonight in Paradise.

Douglas Haig Griffiths