Minesweepers

You may talk of submarines And of other war machines As you sip your beer and talk of yesteryear. You may even look with awe At the ships that roll and yaw, And the carriers as steady as a rock. And what’s prettier to see Than a ‘can’ while out at sea With her bow that’s dancing through the brine. A destroyer, tough as nails Boarding seas bury her rails Staying vertical is truly an ordeal. To the frigates plaudits go They put on a graceful show As they sleekly speed along at sea. But there is a far-famed ship And to her our caps we tip To the Sweeper who was where we’re heading now. See their sweeps when they outreach Clearing paths from deep to beach For landing craft to bring the soldiers through. Knowing mines unswept ahead, Resolutely then they thread And their sweep gear clears a channel for the fleet. So we give them our salute Every mine-sweeping galoot. And raise a toast to them when they’re ashore.