The Ballad of Tenacious 399
To be sung to the tune of ‘My bonnie lies over the ocean’
Tenacious lies over the ocean;
Tenacious lies over the sea.
Tenacious lies over the ocean,
O bring back Tenacious to me.
Bring back, bring back
O bring back Tenacious to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back
O bring back Tenacious to me.
We all landed safely in Malta,
Tenacious lay snug in her berth.
We boarded, we dined, and were kitted,
What better place was there on earth?
Bring back . . .
The next day dawned just a tad showery
But brightened up for hands aloft.
A wee delay mending the steering
So training it was – no one coughed.
Bring back . . .
We braced first to port then to starboard
And then back again round to port.
We then learned the staysails and spankers
From Ali the Mate, as we ought, Bring back . . .
We left the grand harbour in Malta
And motored with jib out to sea.
Next day we were moored in Riposto
And drove up to Etna with glee.
Bring back . . .
We trekked through the snow to the crater
Drank coffee and shopped for wee gifts.
The coach was awaiting us later,
Then back through fog, hitting no drifts.
Bring back . . .
Day 5 we were up bright and early
To motor up north in the sun.
We passed through the straits of Messina
Then up came the wind – we had won!
Bring back . . .
Much bracing and sail-setting followed
And lots of sail stitching by Mike.
The foretopmast staysail was mended
With two thousand stitches – I like!
Bring back . . .
Day 6 with the wind blowing southerly
We set every sail we possessed
Leaving aft the volcano Stromboli
Learned out knots and we then had a rest.
Bring back . . .
Day Seven then dawned bright and sunny,
Light airs, so we motored in sun,
We read and we sunbathed and sauntered,
The Tyrrhenian Sea was such fun!
Bring back . . .
Day 8 brought a challenge to watches –
To speed to the pin was the task,
Remembering halyards and Clewlines
And then in the sun we could bask.
Bring back . . .
The wind from the north kept us motoring,
Our reward a fantastic full moon
To starboard, and then on the port side
Sunset, a photographer’s boon.
Bring back . . .
And now we are heading to harbour
In Monaco, port of delight.
We’ll always remember Tenacious
And we’ll be back soon – yes we might!
Bring back . . .
Heather, with help from members of the Port Aft Watch
