December 7, 1941

In late November  of 1941
America's war had already begin
no shots yet fired, no bombs yet fell
but something was coming, that they could tell.

Tensions high with the Japanese
diplomats trying to appease
but hardened hearts to violence turned
history's lessons yet unlearned

a bloody plan had long been hatched
a fleet of carriers already dispatched
on each of them a bomber force
to carry out this deadly course.

In Washington, there was lttle cease
to looking for a way for peace
But Tokyo scorned at this accord
having already chosen the sword

Akagi, the flagship, the signal gave
Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu lauched first wave
Shokaku and Zuikaku in reserve
with pilots steeling anxious nerves

one by one, the planes rose high
into the early morning sky
with bombs and torpedoes for the U.S ships
and the praise of the Emperor on their lips

Hawaii was quiet that Sunday morn
the first light of day had just been born
the sky was clear, no sign of rain
few people noticed the sound of planes

as morning colors were being raised
men on decks were being hazed
by gunfire from fighters passing by
as hostile planes soon filled the sky

Hickham field, the fighter base
was the target chosen for first place
before the air-raid sirens could sound
all fighters were smashed upon the ground

some men paniced, feared and fled
as torpedoes in Pearl Harbor sped
toward the ships of battleship row
and sent them to the dark below

a crippled fleet, a smoke filled sky
mother's weep when young men die
Japan might have won that day
but the price they would have to pay