Penlee Tragedy Ballad

CardPoet

Hi all,
I wrote this song/poem when the Penlee lifeboat disaster happened and I would just like to share it with anybody who was and remains moved by that terrible night. Also I am not a performer ....hence the poor rendition and the mistakes but I trust in the end result.
I'd like to share it here for anyone who's interested in this type of song.
Here's a version I uploaded on Soundcloud, you can listen to it or download it there: http://soundcloud.com/harry_gillen/ballad-of-the-penlee

BALLAD OF THE PENLEE
               (Harry Gillen)

    On a cold winter evening a signal was heard
    Out in the ocean a vessel was feared
    Straight to the rescue facing the wind
    Off went the Penlee n'er to return
    Off went the Penlee n'er to return

    At the end of an hour the Union was found
    And the word from the tower sent a sigh all around
    But there was no way of knowing that the battle was won
    And the end for the Penlee had only begun
    And the end for the Penlee had only begun

    For a while they were gaining there were four taken on
    and the four left remaining prayed that soon they'd be won
    But the sea was determined and would not be denied
    And before it was over many tears would be cried
    And before it was over many tears would be cried
      
    There was no way to reach them and the answer was plain
    But to sail in between them while the light still remainred
    But the light turned to darkness and the wind grew to nine
    And the sea drew around them waiting her time
    And the sea drew around them waiting her time

    They went in for to take them through the wind and the rain
    Never known to forsake them never known to refrain
    But the sea rose in anger and she turned them around
    Like the leaves in the autumn bringing them down
    Like the leaves in the autumn bringing them down

    Now the storm it was raging and the wind tore the sky
    And the time it was ages to the souls who would die
    There would be no survivors with the waves rolling high
    And the wind blowing harder mocking their cries
    And the wind blowing harder mocking their cries

    On a cold winter evening a signal was heard
    Out in the ocean a vessel was feared
    Straight to the rescue facing the wind
    Off went the Penlee n'er to return
    Off went the Penlee n'er to return
    Off went the Penlee n'er to return
    Off went the Penlee n'er to return
    Off went the Penlee n'er to return
    Off went the Penlee n'er to return.

9959

Not mad about it in song form Harry, but the poem itself is quite evocative, and a very tastefully rendered word picture of the tragic event.
Well done.

CardPoet

thanks and i agree with your comment and i too feel that the song \music needs a lift ...perhaps a counter melody or slow air between some of the verses to raise the emotion and i,m very glad to leave that to anybody who is
more able in that department.
ta
harry