H.M.S HOOD
John Brown built her and he gave her to the sea
last of her kind sailing into history,
twenty-one years she sailed the briny main
England to defend and her glory to retain.
Named for Admiral Samuel, they christened her the HOOD
His Majesty's flag ship through bad times and good,
in honour of her country she ever showed the flag
bold was her company, never known to brag.
Flag ship of the Navy in the North Atlantic Fleet
leading into battle scorning notions of retreat,
"Ventis Secudis" was the motto that she bore
"With Favourable Winds" she left old England's shore.
The blood of warring Europe spilled into the sea
calling old England's mariners to keep a passage free,
the Battle of the Atlantic called for Blighty's blood
we sent the Prince of Wales and the ever mighty HOOD.
The ocean was a-heaving, it was cruel an' it was cold
our sailors were undaunted, courageous and bold,
Prinz Eugen and the Bismark each fully understood
there was a rendezvous to keep with the ever mighty HOOD.
Sleek, grey and beautiful, a credit to her crew
yet HOOD was getting old while Bismark was new,
they met in bloody battle in the crucial Denmark Strait
'twas early in the morning when the HOOD met her fate.
Prinz Eugen she was battling when Bismark drew first blood
breaking the back of the ever mighty HOOD,
in seconds blown asunder she sank beneath the wave
carrying Captain and crew to a heroes salty grave.
Oh, remember, remember the mighty anchored chough
an' all those who gave more than deemed was enough,
Tilburn, Briggs and Dundas, the fortunate rescued three
the only brave survivors returned by the sea.
YOU ARE READING
poeTRY (Volume 2)
PoesiaFirst time Poems by our newest Pubbers. Our second Edition.
