THE DEATH RAILWAY

[Administrator]

THE DEATH RAILWAY

Come along young merchant seaman,
Far from your ocean home,
Help us build this deadly railroad,
As through Burma we shall roam.

Help us lay the rails of tyranny,
Come along you have no choice,
For we'll work and starve and beat you,
And we'll mute your freedom's voice.

Help drive the spikes that hold the rails,
For every spike will cost a man,
When disease and fever take you,
Try escaping if you can.

Come along young merchant seaman,
When your starving sick and weak,
Come serve Bushido's teachings,
We've a schedule to keep.

Forget your shipboard daydreams,
We hold no value on your life,
Except your slaving on this railroad,
Forget your home and wife.

Forget your fallen shipmates,
And forget your carefree ways,
The Emperor wants his railroad,
And you the price will pay.

You'll tell your friends, who won't believe,
The barbaric things we've done,
And you'll find a firm reminder,
In the morning's rising sun.

Come along young merchant seaman,
You've shared with all the rest,
In the building of our railroad,
A railroad built with death.

Ian A. Millar

Few know or remember that merchant seamen were among those who built the bridge over the River Kwai.