Thank Goodness We Have a Chamber !

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1947, Page 7

Thank Goodness We Have a Chamber !

If all ships were found with golden hand-rails, Marble stair-cases like Alfred and Annies, They’d be still left ashore when pubs close their doors, And tell them, “We don’t want your money!” If tucker were cooked to most delicate taste, (And I can vouch that usually it’s done); Tiie Chamber of Commerce deserve all the honours; Poor seamen must have their home fun! Provide them with draughts and ali manner of games; It may help to keep them all on board. A nice game of chess played on the sea chest, If any possess such accord. For the old sea chest was a seaman’s asset To prove he knew the “Main Brace!” Don’t leave ship to-night. Be the Old Man’s delight, At the gangway, as we did in old days. Should the Skipper at midnight come wobbling along Want a help up the lighted gangway, The young ordinary will answer “Goodnight,” In response to the Old Man’s ,“Good day!” He’s been to the Club. No “that’s” not a Pub; Just a place where gentlemen meet. The deck-hand feels sorry, and knows it’s a worry, And -believes’ it’s their quarters to blame. Next time that, the Chamber should happen to meet, A petition will all hands put in; From Bosun to Boy, without any alloy; And state that they think it a sin That the officers’ quarters are just fit for a pen; And from Aft comes just growling and grunts. Our quarters, with showers, pingpong, badminton and bowers! Poor men, they are out of the Hunt. Of course, there’s a chance that we may get a break, And an invite meet us on arrival. The Chamber has applied we be granted night leave, Till eleven thirty—which will take some contriving. We will all brush our hair, and go up in pairs, And, of course, be duly presented. We may have been lax in the past, But having broken our fast We humbly promise and vow we’re repented. Back to our ship, refreshed by the trip, Having met the men with the Brains; Who watch our affairs, the Doers and Dares; And all that such bravery entails. A Red Letter day when we visited Grey, Led us £rom the way we were going. . Made us cut out the Booze after sixfour p.m.; And also cut out all our wooing. —J. Duffy.