Post by Administrator on Sept 28, 2016 20:50:34 GMT
MY SON
“Now young Lad please tell me and drink this cup of tea,
Why are you so down and sad when you come home from sea?.”
“It’s just the seaman’s life Mother, and sailing on a scow,
Plus leaving all my family, that bothers me right now.”
“No, there’s something in your eyes young Man I’ve never seen before,
They seem to stare like I’m not there, please tell me I implore.”
“It’s just the brutal war Mother, when I steam across the foam,
Perchance to meet the enemy - a sitting duck alone.”
“There’s something in your heart young Man, I hear you wake at night,
In your dream I think you’ve seen, much more to give you fright.”
“It’s just the sight beheld Mother, at the slaughter of my mates,
Their ship disintegrated - torpedoed in the Straits.”
“There’s something in your face my Boy, that tells me what you know,
Stay at home refuse to roam, remain with me - don’t go.”
“Mother dear, be brave, I cannot stay with you,
Even though a `civvy` I have a job to do,
My place to be is the cruel sea, riding on the swell......,
With men like me, don’t you see? until we’re sent to Hell.”
“What will be the point young Man, what’s the use I say,
To risk your life in voyage strife to earn so little pay?.”
“Oh Mother dear ’tis quite clear, it’s not for wage reward,
You can be sure I’m a Seaman pure so I will sail abroad,
For they need our Merchant Navy to save our precious land,
Day and night we board our ships - without a farewell band.”
“So that’s what its all about my Son - our freedom to defend,
On unyielding Mariners - I know we can depend.”
“Sorry Mum, when beaten low and spirits start to sag,
Duty calls for Country beneath our Merchant flag ,
These are desperate cargoes that really must get through,
The time is near, I’ll pack my gear and join another crew.”
“Bless you Son, I understood when you took your ship to sea,
You sailed and died but went with pride to go down in history,
Old shipmates built your Monument on a quay down Bristol way,
It’s where I weep and talk to you - recalling our last day.”