The Dreadnought
A Space Chantie for Tom Corbett, Space Cadet
(based on the original ballad the Dreadnaught)
Revised Words (C) 1997 by Dansen T. Stahl
- There's a saucy wild packet and a packet
of fame.
She belongs to New York and the Dreadnought's her name.
She is bound to the star'ard where the solar winds blow.
Bound away in the Dreadnought, to the star'ard we'll go.
- The time of her railing is now drawing nigh.
Farewell, pretty May, I must bid you goodbye.
Farewell to old Terra and all there we hold dear.
Bound away in the Dreadnought, to the star'ard we'll steer.
- Oh the Dreadnought is hauling out of Roosevelt
Dock
when the boys and the girls to the viewports do flock.
They will us give three cheers, while their tears freely flow,
saying, "God bless the Dreadnought, wheresoe'er she may go!".
- Oh the Dreadnought is drifting in Earth
orbit so free
waiting for the Captain her route to decree
wending through those black rocks that cause spacers much woe.
Bound away in the Dreadnought, to the star'ard we'll go.
- Oh the Dreadnought's a-bowlin' 'cross wild
solar flares.
It's few passengers are merry, with hearts unaware,
while the sailors, like lions, walk the decks to and fro.
Bound away in the Dreadnought, to the star'ard we'll go.
- Oh the Dreadnought's a-railin' this system
so wide
with the dark empty vacuum awaitin' outside,
with lasers and protons to make deep space glow.
Bound away in the Dreadnought, to the star'ard we'll go.
- Oh the Dreadnought's in orbit above stormy
Titan
where the air is quite fright'nin' and crystal plants grow,
where deep lies an ocean to which no man dare go.
Bound away in the Dreadnought, to the star'ard we'll go.
- Oh the Dreadnought's a-bowlin' past Saturn's
great rings
and the man on the radar listens to each ping.
Then close passes a comet, just fresh from deep space,
spraying ice chunks and space dust which we dodge with great haste.
- When the Dreadnought's arrived at Terra
once more
we'll take a leave, shipmates, on the world we adore.
See our wives and our children or our loves as may be.
Drink a health to the Dreadnought which sets our souls free.
- Here's a health to the Dreadnought and
to all her brave crew.
Here's a health to her captain and officers too.
Now the're space mules and yachts and atomic patrols
but the Dreadnought's the spacer to beat new and old.
Spacer
John "Crusty" Wu -- 2044 AD
|...Space Chanties...|...Section 42-D...|
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