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OLD IRONSIDES IN DRYDOCK
Oh
ye lovers of tall ships, come see while she is at rest
Stripped
of her yard arms, unmasted, her lines all gone and her sheets furled
Her
mighty decks, once covered in blood, are quiet tho they once withstood the test
Of
heavy cannon shot, fired in anger, as against her oaken sides was hurled
She
is being refitted for war during a nervous peace
New
masts, new yard arms, new rigging, new sails and new men
So
that she can take her place on the line and her vigilance will never cease
To
guide, direct and protect her country and her people Once again.
Very
soon we will celebrate the bicentennial of the laying of her keel
And
this famous old lady is tired, weather‑beaten and showing her age
But
in spite of her age, we love her dearly and to show her how we feel
The
master shipbuilders are restoring her so that she can turn a new page
As
soon as she has been completely restored, she will be refloated and put back to
sea
With
new mainmast, foremast, mizzenmast, lines, halyards, braces so tall and so
strong
With
new mainsheet, foresheet, topsails, spars, spinnakers, and jibs set for all to
see
Our
great pride, as she sails into the hearts of
We
can all look forward to her annual turnarounds on the Fourth of July
When
she will dazzle the hundreds of spectators all dressed in bunting from stem to
stern
When
she will fly Old Glory so proudly from her halyard oh so high
And
the hearts of all men will beat faster as we watch her make her majestic return
Oh
you hallowed Navy shrine dedicated to the era of wooden ships and iron men
We
ask you to lead your country peacefully and proudly into the next century
Set
your spars, booms and sails for those exotic distant shores and when
You
set your course for home, bring with you all those yearning to be free.
‑‑Leo
J. Gulinello
1994
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The Captain’s Clerk |