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Show some respect on this deck for the dear departed, |
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Gather ye's round let's be bound by the work we started, |
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Save all your strength for the length of the task before us, |
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Think on that ship on the slipway they can't ignore us. |
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It's what he would have wanted, he'll not be disappointed, |
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Each of us well appointed, we've all but been anointed, |
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Such was our occupation, this means of our salvation, |
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We'll make a rope out of our dreams and hopes and tribulations. |
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We'll weave these strands together, we'll splice a rope and tether, |
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And though we won't know whether, it's fair or stormy weather, |
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We'll quit this quay, |
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And we'll cast this net of souls upon the sea. |
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Pick up your tools, we're not fools to be treated lightly, |
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We'll weld our souls to the bulkheads, secure them tightly, |
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We'll use the skills and the crafts that our fathers taught us, |
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We work with pride, not as slaves, no one ever bought us. |
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We'll weave a net of our dreams and our hopes between us, |
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We'll be the envy of that sorry bunch who'll wish they'd been us, |
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We'll form a web of steel, a structure that will not be broken, |
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We'll be the heroes of the day whenever tales are spoken. |
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And as the dance gets faster, we'll build a double master, |
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No vessel will outlast her, no other ship gets past her, |
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We'll quit this quay, |
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And we'll cast this net of souls upon the sea. |
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Come strike the floor with your feet all you lads and lasses, |
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And if you're too old to dance, you can raise your glasses, |
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Just come on in, take a spin, in your dreams ye've held her. |
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What are ye? Man or a mouse, or a shipyard welder? |
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Shy bairns get nowt for waiting, so why ye hesitating? |
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Ships don't get built debating, or launched just contemplating. |
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Wear out your old shoe leather, we're in this dance together, |
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We'll pull the blades and feather, in fair or clement weather. |
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Each one of us connected, all trades and skills respected, |
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Always to be expected, we will not be deflected, |
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We'll quit this quay, |
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And we'll cast this net of souls upon the sea. |
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Na na na na na na na na na na na na na |
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Na na na na na na na na na na na na na |
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Na na na na na na na na na na na na |
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Na na na na na na na na na na na na na |
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Na na na na na na na |
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Na na na na na na na |
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Na na na na na na na |
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Na na na na na na na |
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Na na na na, la la la |
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La la la la la la la |
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Show some respect, fill the deck, get the lassies twirling, |
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'Cos they expect to be swept off their feet and whirling, |
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Life is a dance, a romance where ye take your chances, |
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Just don't be left on the shores of regretful glances. |
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We may not drive Rolls Royces, we're hardly spoilt for choices, |
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If we're to pay invoices, we'll need to raise our voices. |
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Our strength is in communion, this boilermakers' union, |
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The shipwright welders' guilds, with every working station filled. |
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These bonds we've spliced together, will face all kinds of weather, |
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Considered altogether, and sailing Hell for leather, |
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We'll quit this quay, |
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And we'll cast this net of souls upon the sea. |
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Where will you be, |
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When we cast this net of souls upon the sea? |