Widow's Song

Widow's Song

 

You see disaster

I see a man

You see disaster

I'll not see him again

I always knew it

Risks that he took

I always knew it

Depended on his luck

But he still rescued

Men from the sea

But he still rescued

He couldn't let them be

Don't shout disaster

He tried to save

Don't shout disaster

To save them from the wave

Determined crewmen

Trusting - each one

Determined crewmen

See all the things they've done

A lifetime's service

Rescue at sea

A lifetime's service

Saving and setting free

I always knew it

He might be lost

I always knew it

I'd grieve to count the cost

His life was rescue

I knew at first

His life was rescue

And I know it at last

©2002 Charlotte Peters Rock

charlottepetersrock@tiscali.co.uk  http://charlottepetersrock.blogspot.com

Ghosts of Children

Ghosts of Children

The single silent ghosts of children linger

On sand and rocks and inlets by the sea

They walk on water - point accusing finger

Open big eyes - look at you and me

But oh the children drifted off for ever

In tiny boats - on lilos - on the wave

They jumped - or sank - and will return home never

In spite of all the efforts made to save

ch

The sea - a legacy - she is our mother

Calm on days we see her in the sun

Turning into violence in winter

Always there - no matter what she's done

Don't take her for granted or you'll suffer

Realise she likes to have her way

Use imagination when you meet her

She may take your children off one day

ch

Keep your children safer - teach them swimming

Make them wear a floating vest at sea

Teach the tides and dangers - a beginning

Little lives are precious - you'll agree

ch

Lifeboat crews are there to help - in danger

Everyone will try to help a child

Facing up to deaths in grief and anger

Knowing they can't rescue every child

ch

© 2002 Charlotte Peters Rock

charlottepetersrock@tiscali.co.uk     http://charlottepetersrock.blogspot.com

Dog of Rescue

Dog of Rescue

The Darlings were walking gently

Near Redcar Cliffs one day

With dog-companion Monty

When the sea got in their way

They climbed on some rocks and shouted

In nineteen-ninety-two

Ninteenth of January - Cold

And they didn't know what to do

When the lifeboat came from Redcar

With Helmsman Peter Hodge

With Derek and Barry - crewmen

Well they had to stand and judge

Just how could the lifeboat - safely

Get in to lift them out

So Barry swam and Derek swam

With two ropes wrapped round about

They hauled in the lifeboat - gently

Its engines in the air

They loaded the frozen Darlings

Who had started to despair

The lifeboat was battered wildly

Hauled clear through the pounding sea

And dog-companion Monty

Knew well what he'd like to be

He'd like to be a Lifeboat Hound

Going out to sea with his crew

Where lifeboats brought home the darlings

He was a Dog Of Rescue

QUERY: Wonder if he was directly descended from Grace Darling?

© 2002 Charlotte Peters Rock

charlottepetersrock@tiscali.co.uk     http://charlottepetersrock.blogspot.com