Grissom, White and Chaffee were the first to pay the price

But others now have felt the fatal falling of the dice

And seven more have lost their lives that we might win the skies

But nothing makes it easier when someone out there dies



Chorus:	 It's minus ten and counting but many more may die

	 As careful as we ever are it costs us lives to try

	 But all who take the risk of space say, "If we die then take our place

	 And please when we are gone, carry on, carry on, carry on, carry on."



And if we add the cosmonauts the count is now fourteen

Who paid their lives for men to go where man has never been

And each one knew the dangers and yet bravely still they tried

And begged us all to keep on flying even if they died



Chorus



We're minus ten who sought the stars but out across the lands

You'll see a million volunteers are raising up their hands

And all of them are well-prepared to pay that final cost

They know that space and all the stars are worth the lives we've lost



Chorus





Words and music:  Kathy Mar



Copyright 1986 Kathy Mar