You have seen him in the street rolling round on groggy feet.
You have seen him arm-in-arm with some girl of doubtful charm.
You have seen him clutch the pavement for support.
Who was leading Johnny safely to port?
You have shuddered in disgust as he grovelled in the dust.
You've revolted when you see him on the spree
But you haven't seen the rip of his lonely merchant ship
Ploughing furrows through a mine-infested sea.
You have cheered our naval lads in their stately ironclads.
You have spared a cheer for Tommy Atkins too
Yet you've trembled in a funk when you've read of steamers sunk
but you never cared a damn about the crew.
He brings your wounded back on a sub-infested track.
He ferries all your troops about at night;
He belongs to no brigade, he is neglected, underpaid
But----he's always in the thickest of the fight.
He fights the lurking Hun with his pipsqueak little gun.
He'll ruin Adolf Hitler's mighty plan.
He is a hero, he's a nut, he's the bleeding limit --- but
He's just a merchant service sailor lad.
When this wretched war is over, don't forget the Straits of Dover
And all the blessed seven seas as well
Are alive with men like these, bringing you your bread and cheese,
You will remember, won't you......?, will you......? hell......!!!
Anon
