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Friday 1 April 2011

Sweden to Berwick-on-Tweed


Sweden to Berwick-on-Tweed

Jacob Ruers out of Gothenberg was stranded on the rocks
In 1913 29th of March
The Rocket Men all tried to save - to bring them to the rocks
But nothing helped - all they could do was watch

And the waves were washing over
And the storm was breaking on the wreck

When the lifeboat came from Berwick-side to see what she could do
Rocket men's - and sailors' - faint hoped grew
She veered on down and ran on in to do what she could do
To pass a line to rescue all the crew

And the waves were washing over
And the storm was breaking on the wreck

Hauled along a single line - the lifebuoy saved them one by one
Eleven men dragged in to safety there
Through crashing raging seas - in trust - they hauled them one by one
And up - to meet the boatmen's tender care

And the waves were washing over
And the storm was breaking on the wreck

Coxswain Robert Burgon had his Silver Medal Honour
He and Jimmy Jamieson gained as well
Two Swedish Silver Medals - made also for their Honour
The crew of Jacob Ruers went home to tell

And the waves were washing over
And the storm was breaking on the wreck

Our lifeboatmen - along these shores - will save the lives of nations
Of any nation scattered round the Earth
No-one argues class nor creed - nor friend nor foe nor nations
Every human being has his worth

If the waves are washing over
And the storm is breaking on the wreck


©2002 Charlotte Peters Rock

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