Post by Administrator on Nov 12, 2020 8:38:39 GMT
NAVAL CONTROL’S FAREWELL TO THE LAST MERCHANT NAVY
CONVOY FROM GIBRALTAR.
4th JUNE, 1945 - (S/S “ORION”)
Adieu! Adieu! The days at last are past
When Commodore’s eyes popped, and Captains gasped,
When frenzied Yeomen flew the flag of death,
And sailors marrow curdled, and their breath
Froze in their whiskers.
No more the raucous shouts shall emanate
From lookout men, mouths wide and eyes dilate,
Who, swallowing the surreptitious smoke,
Yell’d warning to the lounging gunner bloke,
And clutched their lifebelts.
You who have viewed the frothing, curling spume,
Whose evil swirl denoted coming doom,
Never need more review the days of sin
In one quick second’s spin
And count your cash.
Free is the ocean now, the skies serene;
Gone to their doom, Luftwaffe, submarine;
Foreboding fear and nerve benumbing blight
Are all behind you and the dread of night
Sans your pyjamas!
Thus do we joke, who kept the tryst with fear
From day to day, by week and month, and fear;
You who have sailed in close-linked company;
We who have watched in prayerful sympathy
With eyes of pride.
Now at this moment when brave array
You keep the last glad meeting of the free,
And fronting seas once more violate,
Steam towards home - fit sins of all Our Great -
The last convoy.
Naval control bidding you all “Goodbye”
Breaks out this signal with bedimmed eye -
“England expects - ?” Nay! Rather let it be
“England gives thanks, and humbly, so do we
For duty done.
Via: The MNA's - The Pulse.
CONVOY FROM GIBRALTAR.
4th JUNE, 1945 - (S/S “ORION”)
Adieu! Adieu! The days at last are past
When Commodore’s eyes popped, and Captains gasped,
When frenzied Yeomen flew the flag of death,
And sailors marrow curdled, and their breath
Froze in their whiskers.
No more the raucous shouts shall emanate
From lookout men, mouths wide and eyes dilate,
Who, swallowing the surreptitious smoke,
Yell’d warning to the lounging gunner bloke,
And clutched their lifebelts.
You who have viewed the frothing, curling spume,
Whose evil swirl denoted coming doom,
Never need more review the days of sin
In one quick second’s spin
And count your cash.
Free is the ocean now, the skies serene;
Gone to their doom, Luftwaffe, submarine;
Foreboding fear and nerve benumbing blight
Are all behind you and the dread of night
Sans your pyjamas!
Thus do we joke, who kept the tryst with fear
From day to day, by week and month, and fear;
You who have sailed in close-linked company;
We who have watched in prayerful sympathy
With eyes of pride.
Now at this moment when brave array
You keep the last glad meeting of the free,
And fronting seas once more violate,
Steam towards home - fit sins of all Our Great -
The last convoy.
Naval control bidding you all “Goodbye”
Breaks out this signal with bedimmed eye -
“England expects - ?” Nay! Rather let it be
“England gives thanks, and humbly, so do we
For duty done.
Via: The MNA's - The Pulse.