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
