It came on the radio,
That song,
The saddest song I know.
Every time I hear it
I stop,
The tune is so mournful,
The words even sadder.
But it brings me joy,
As in my life
That sadness is with me,
But I know that all will be well
As I move on,
Move on towards the light,
And be with my lover,
With her for eternity,
And beyond.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Bowling
(Charles Dibdin)
Here a sheer hulk, lies poor Tom Bowling
The darling of our crew;
No more he'll hear the tempest howling
For death has broached him to.
His form was of the manliest beauty, his heart was kind and soft;
Faithful below, Tom did his duty
And now he's gone aloft
And now he's gone aloft
Tom never from his word departed
His virtues were so rare:
His friends were many and true hearted
His Poll was kind and fair;
And then he'd sing so blithe and jolly
Ah! Many's the time and oft;
But mirth is turn'd to melancholy
For Tom is gone aloft
For Tom is gone aloft
Yet shall poor Tom find pleasant weather
When He who all commands
Shall give, to call life's crew together
The word to pipe all hands:
Thus Death, who kings and tars despatches
In vain Tom's life hath doff'd
For tho' his body's under hatches
His soul is gone aloft
His soul is gone aloft
Charles Dibdin (1745-1814)
-
Author:
Goldfinch60 (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: March 5th, 2020 02:14
- Comment from author about the poem: Just a song that always brings emotion to me.
- Category: Sad
- Views: 24
- Users favorite of this poem: Saxon Crow
Offline)
Comments10
A poignant write Gold.
Can't be any resemblance to me then. I've not been known to sing all blithe and jolly! Well, no one hangs around to hear me, to find out what I sound like! heehee.
Thank you Orchi.
Listening to it as I write this - a real song - I'll listen to it again later - great tribute to it.
Thank you Michael, the tune is played every year at The Last Night of the Proms. It is a wonderful song.
Andy
Lovely words you wrote GF. Beautiful and sad.
Thank you SC, most kind.
Andy
One can be kind..... on occasion
As we age we learn that, what to me comes across as a rather harsh statement, but nonetheless is true. "Life's a bitch, then you die".
Accepting this and shrugging it off has been my way forward but there are times when something sad comes along and mournfully i find myself asking those unanswerable 'why' type questions. That's what just happened reading yours and Dibdin's words today.
Thank you for your wonderful thoughtful comment d a. Why indeed, a question that can never be answered.
Andy
am surprised that I have not heard what sounds now like a memorable song...
Your splendid observational poem is also very special too Andy..
Neville
Thank you Neville. The tune is played every year at The Last Night of the Proms.
Andy
An impressive tribute to words I have never before read - thank you Andy for sharing these thoughts - love the positive ending too - - -
"For tho' his body's under hatches
His soul is gone aloft
His soul is gone aloft"
Thank you Fay. Positive is my middle name.
Andy
We've both gone past 1066 in our number of poems now. We're rattling on in the 1100's. Plus others maybe written but not yet posted!
Yes we have Orchi, and more yet to come.
Andy
Thanks Uncle Andy a very Mournful Lament indeed - BUT - ending with a reward in GLORY - AMEN. Love the Poem too because you too have Assurance that You too will be reunited with Your Beloved Joyce in the Spirit World - AMEN ! Thanks for caring & sharing. Please check POUNDLAND - Thanks A & B !
Blessings & Peace & Joy to YOU & YOURS
Love Angela & Brian 💛💛💛💛💛
Thanks Uncle Andy a very Mournful Lament indeed - BUT - ending with a reward in GLORY - AMEN. Love the Poem too because you too have Assurance that You too will be reunited with Your Beloved Joyce in the Spirit World - AMEN ! Thanks for caring & sharing. Please check POUNDLAND - Thanks A & B !
Blessings & Peace & Joy to YOU & YOURS
Love Angela & Brian 💛💛💛💛💛
Well written Goldie, and a great song.
Thank you Fred, yes it is a great song.
Andy
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