In the shadow of the Second World War,
Fuehrer wanted to augment maritime power
and control the waters of the northern oceans.
In the North Sea he proudly set sail Bismarck,
the largest German battleship ever built.
On maiden voyage off the coast of Scandinavia
she got fiercely engaged with the Royal Navy,
heavily damaged, survived the first battle
in the fateful strait of Denmark,
but was totally crippled by later air attack.
She was scuttled by the German navy,
bringing her brief life to an unceremonious end,
as she committed suicide so to say, and sank
to save herself from further ignominy.
November 6, 2021
Contest : A Noteworthy Ship
Sponsor : Robert James Liguori
Well I kept him apart from the rest of the world
but that didn't do any good
'cause he took off for Bismarck
took off for his own heart
I guess it wasn't understood
That I love him whatever
and now more than ever
I wanna stay and watch him grow
if it makes sense to leave me
he just won't believe me
that I love him more than he knows.
When an office manager doesn’t make his or her quota,
he or she can be sent to Bismarck, North Dakota.
Sometimes, it gets colder there than Anchorage, Alaska.
Does the company have an establishment in Siberia?
Even though they have been in the home office for a while,
managers may find themselves going off into exile.
To the average person with a family, it is not great
when they have to pull up their stakes and relocate.
That is the time to sever ties with the company.
To find something closer, send out a resume.
This is the fleet commander. I address all of you.
To this mighty ship, you have been a faithful crew.
Your performance the other day was much better than good.
We sank the strongest British ship, the HMS Hood.
May I assure you there will be no cause for alarm.
The Luftwaffe will arrive soon to deliver us from harm.
If any of the British fleet dares to show their face,
they will be torpedoed by U-boats in their place.
I remind you this is the most powerful ship on the sea.
Der Fuehrer has sent a wire directly to me.
We will forever hold a place of honor in Germany.
This is the most formidable nautical bulwark.
We are sailing on the greatest ship, The Bismarck.
Based on the 1960 film “Sink the Bismarck”
This ship in His Majesty’s fleet is very good.
I am with the crew of the HMS Hood.
I am so proud to serve on this pride of the fleet.
She is a first-class battlewagon complete.
Since the war began, things have been quite frantic.
The Germans have wreaked havoc in the North Atlantic.
Just see what has happened down South America way.
They caused some trouble with their ship, the Graf Spee.
However, they now have a huge maritime bulwark.
This is a formidable battleship they have named the Bismarck.
I know there will be some inevitable confrontations.
When they occur, we will go to our battle stations.
We are the sailors of the proud British Navy.
The Hood is our best and the most mighty.
This morning I looked into the mirror
The face I saw could not be clearer
Of a man with a chance
To face his way his final dance.
The time that I have left is fleeting
And yet somehow also appealing.
To the end of that which wracks me
Like the battle of the Bismarck Sea.
The end comes not quick or painlessly
And yet for sure its stalking me
Hiding as if a child game
Jumping out to call my name
I will go when it's my time
To my reward sublime
Knowing that I have been blessed
I tried to give to all my best.
I hope that someday I am remembered.
Not like January more like December.
A joyous season a joyous time
My life was for me...just fine.
Do not grieve, do not be sad,
Do not cry, do be glad
I am now free from pain
Eternal happiness I've gained
To all I knew or had once met,
Live your life without regret.
When into that mirror you next stare.
Remember me and I'll be there.