Merchant Navy Day.

[Administrator]

Merchant Navy Day.

[Administrator]

THE RED ENSIGN MEN
Dedicated to the men of Merchant Navy.

Have you ever stood a foc’sle watch ?
On a tanker, just at dawn
And through icy sheet checked out the fleet
Dreading the klaxon horn,
Loathing the feel of freezing steel
And longing for a day that’s warm
Hoist the blood red ensign high
Pay homage to the brave
Those who live and those that die
In a deep and lonely grave
Have you ever seen a cargo ship go down
Heard the screams of dying men
Struck by a foe from deep below
And were helpless to defend
And in your dreams relived the scenes
Until you woke again
Hoist the blood red ensign high
Salute those valiant men
Those who were, and those who are
And those to be again
Have you ever seen a ship at sea
That could barely make its way
But bore the might of a frenzied fight
And still made port, one day
With decks still red from those that bled
Who died for our today
Hoist the blood red ensign high
And let us not forget
Those loyal crews who paid there dues,
In courage, blood and sweat
Have you ever sat in an open boat
On seas that were choked with oil
With lungs aflame and racked with pain,
And felt your anger boil
And wondered why men had to die,
And was it worth the toil
Hoist the blood red ensign high
Sound the bugle call
And honour them the Merchant men,
The bravest of them all.

Dennis John Wood. Caerphilly, Ex Army and ex Merchant Navy
On display at: The United Services Club, Wharton Street, Cardiff