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Thread: Merchantmen like thee

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    Default Merchantmen like thee

    MERCHANTMEN LIKE THEE

    Here's to thee thy wandering heroes-
    Roaming o'er the sea-
    Gone are you from families loving-
    To eternity.
    Blazing sunshine, frozen ocean-
    Ocean winds blow free-
    Here's a prayer for those departed-
    Wandering o'er the sea.

    Here's to thee, thy gallant heroes-
    Brave boys of the sea-
    Gone are you in battle's glory-
    To eternity.
    Man the deck guns, launch the lifeboats-
    In the raging sea-
    Here's a prayer for those departed-
    Heroes of the sea.

    Here's to thee, thy fallen heroes-
    Resting in the sea-
    Gone are you in stormy tempest-
    To eternity.
    Blow the whistle, bend the flags on-
    Welcome home to thee-
    Here's a prayer for those departed-
    Sleeping in the sea.

    Here's to thee, remembered heroes-
    Spirits of the sea-
    Missing yes but not forgotten-
    Resting peacefully-
    Slumber quiet, sleep forever-
    In the rolling sea-
    Here's a prayer for those departed-
    Merchantmen like thee.

    Ian A. Millar

  2. #2
    Keith at Tregenna's Avatar
    Keith at Tregenna Guest

    Default Re: Merchantmen like thee

    Love it.

    Cheers.

    Keith.

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    Default Re: Merchantmen like thee

    Good morning Keith: Pleased to know you liked the poem, another of my side interests. I have others which I shall share in due course and I always appreciate any feedback good, bad or otherwise. I does give one some satisfaction to create a remembrance for those who gave so much for us all.
    Ian

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  5. #4
    Keith at Tregenna's Avatar
    Keith at Tregenna Guest

    Default Re: Merchantmen like thee

    I have found that MN poetry over the years has helped raise awareness.
    You may have come across Joe Earl's work, he is a friend and has put
    together much that has aided me.

    EG:

    The PADDLE STEAMER `BARRY`

    H.M.S. SNAEFELL

    BARRY SEAMEN

    BARRY DOCK - LOADING COAL

    OVER THE SEA AND FAR AWAY

    MERCHANT NAVY STAMP OF APPROVAL

    Etc.

    Add a link below for your perusal.

    Keep up the good work.

    Keith.

    http://joesverse.simplesite.com/160596375

    PS.

    An early own attempt at MN poetry by myself:

    Molly v "Tin Fish".

    Always dreamed to travel, thought’s - were of the air,
    I walked hand in hand with Molly, we did not have a care.
    So fast had I left school and to sea I went,
    Molly was my sweetheart, my future wife intent.

    Molly was my Dolly and thoughts were of a wedded life,
    I had no thought of dying or Tin Fish causing strife.
    My Country needed feeding, our forces needed arms,
    I left port the first time: all thoughts were of my Molly’s charms.

    I had hoped to be flying, dog fights in the air,
    had no thought of dying and though I was aware.
    Age was against me, although my thoughts were tough,
    I went to sea to do my bit, for the air not old enough.

    As the days were over and turned more into years,
    all thoughts were of Molly and her lonely tears.
    Thank God for education, that my Mol could write,
    that every destination, I could read her every fright.

    Often, I would tell her of the Tin Fish plight,
    an enemy torpedo, that missed again tonight,
    An enemy Wolf Pack, that meant to do us harm.
    remembering our love pact and my Molly’s charm.

    Would tell her I would be home soon.
    We would have tinned fish, for tea,
    it never, did tarnish, Mol, my mum or dad or me.
    but, never would a Tin Fish, halt me back to sea.

    Though my life is over and the war is won,
    my Mol did find a nice guy, they care now for my son.
    Though my life is over am sad for dear old Mol.
    She’d love to add a tribute near where the seagulls squall.

    But, there was a war on, my country sought my life.
    never spared a thought the Hun would lose my wife.
    Now my Mol is elderly, Tin Fish they have gone ?
    Where can she lay down bouquets to those before, now gone.

    Mol, has found a tribute at London’s, Tower Hill,
    where a sea of ensigns, remember the many still.
    Although she lives quite local and visits on her way,
    She always pays tribute on our own Merchant Navy Day.

    Molly, no longer can face the tinned sardines,
    we were lost to the Tin Fish,
    but remembered here with in. Trinity Square Gardens
    remembers those still in our dreams.

    Molly, I did love you always in my life,
    not overjoyed with U-boats that robbed me of my wife.
    Thank you for the memory of a better life,
    glad your not Germanic, as would have been your life.

    Had we stayed as lovers and never entered the fray,
    we may have lost more brothers and more would have gone away.
    If for now you live your life as was meant to be,
    always sad when you shed a tear, though it was meant to be.

    Just so pleased, to see you with others that remember,
    amongst my fellow sailors in tribute and in honour.
    in our floral gardens, so different from the sea.
    I am so pleased that you at least remember:
    the young chap that loved you not only in September.

    "Tin Fish" At that time the submarine blockade, which was intended to bring Great Britain to her knees, was in full swing, and the constant fear of the ocean traveller was the making of the unwelcome acquaintance of a torpedo, or "tin fish", as that death-dealer was familiarly known.

    Tin Fish , tin fish meaning , definition of tin fish , what is tin fish - slang for a torpedo.

    K.


    Always meant to go back and retune it, one day ?
    Last edited by Keith at Tregenna; 28th January 2020 at 01:41 PM.

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    Default Re: Merchantmen like thee

    Keith: I enjoyed reading your poem and will do so again and as time allows I will check out Joe Earls efforts when I have some spare time.

    Ian

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