Remembrance of a Violinist on the Titanic

We played despite the hand of fate
Which brought the ship to harm,
Disaster struck upon that date,
While rescue would be far too late
For most, we played with calm.

The captain stared at us, beneath
His stoic smile I sensed
A shaken man who'd lost belief,
Though our performing time was brief
The next tune still commenced.

Somehow the sound of strings redeemed,
A vague comfort we hoped
But panic rose as water teemed,
The children wept and mothers screamed
Until the deck was sloped.

We looked up high at stars galore
Then instruments were downed,
We shared a final thought of awe
And in the final crashing roar
Our melodies, they drowned.


©

Never Biz

I saw the original Titanic film, and saw interviews with survivors. It all seems so painful to me, that I've avoided all programmes on the subject.

I wouldn't be surprised if the current activities have affected cruise bookings.

Your poem is a touching reminder of the heroism of ordinary people.

Thanks Biz - the sinking of the Titanic still resonates very strongly all these years afterwards. I thought today would be the appropriate one to repost this oldie on the subject

A grand national disgrace

The crowds cheer jockeys trying,
Quite happy to forget
How random odds of dying
Accompany each bet.

The winning wallet thickens,
Though cash will be enjoyed
The shame of Aintree sickens
When horses are destroyed.


©

I'm off to Aberdeenshire for a much-needed break While there I'm hoping to visit some of the area's recumbent stone circles. These are largely unique to Aberdeenshire and I can't wait! Midmar Kirk and Sunhoney are on my list.

I'll be computer-less on the trip, something that doesn't bother me in the least But it means I'll be away from the thread until Wednesday or Thursday. Any contributions in that time will be gratefully received - I don't think this place will ever sink

Speak soon my friends

Computerless! Don't forget your pen and have a wonderful break. Here's one for a Sunday sing.


To Be Saved.

Back me up in three locations
Save me to thy mega drive
Suffer then no devastation
unto this my diatribe.

Save me save me save me save me
save me to thy mega drive.

Consult me for information?
I would just say do thy thing
to ensure perpetuation
of this time when we can sing:

Save me save me save me save me
save me to-oo thy meg a drive.

Give me strength of good encryption.
Keep me from their prying eyes.
Seems to me that our convictions
save us wearing any ties.

Freedom freedom freedom freedom
freedom from uncertain ties.

Ponder on the pond of pond life
Push the paper boat afloat
Data hath eternal long life
Save me now doth get my vote.

Save me save me save me save me
Save me now doth get my vote.

Unto this make more additions
keep it flowing virally
saving all future renditions
in infinite libraries.

Save me save me save me save me
in infinite libraries.

Lead me nowhere, I go my way
unto places soft as love.
Feed me no more bullshit thy way.
Save me in the cloud above.

Save me save me save me save me
save me in the cloud above.

Here and now is good for saving
for the children and theirs too.
From those whom in armour plating
would create a man of you.

Kill you kill you kill you kill you
to create a man of you.

Save us then from exploitation.
Let us dream what we can do.
Onward with some trepidation
taking care that what we do...

Careful, Careful, Careful, Careful.
Taking care that what we do

somewhat saves us from extinction,
for that is that which we do.
One day Man could gain distinction
in the galaxy's who's who.

No extinction. No extinction.
In our galaxy who's who.

Sorry to hijack the rhythm
into I they did instil
words triumphant for revision
echoed from each little hill:

Praise Him Praise Him. Praise Him Prays hymn.
Sundays you can hear it still.

Now it's time to make a cuppa
Likewise just do what thou wilt,
but remember mea culpa
if thy cup doth geteth spilt.

Mea culpa make a cuppa
Hope thou didst enjoy the lilt.

I'm probably too late, but enjoy! As you'll see when you get back, archiver has timed his entry to perfection.


Absolutely brilliant.


Great ending. I feel I should know which hymn tune, but perhaps it's too long since I sang or listened to one.

However If you divulge which one it is, I promise to sing your creation in the privacy of my own home.

Thanks a lot Biz. It's loosely based on Guide Me Oh Thou Great Redeemer (or, more honestly I got the 'refrains' completely wrong ).

There's been a fair few religiousy threads recently, which must have dug up some old memories, is my excuse. Pretty sure I saw you in one.

It's a super day here. Hope you're finding the same.

Ah Google's a wonderful thing. I listened to "Guide me" sung by what sounded like a Welsh male voice choir on Songs of Praise - and although I didn't sing your version out loud as promised, I did mouth your words as they played in my head.

I seriously would love to hear that sung on television, because it just gets cleverer on further readings.

I did pop into a religious thread recently despite the fact that I've had more arguments on them than you can imagine. I try to avoid the hassle these days.

It's been a very changeable day here, but I did manage two spells sitting in the hot sunshine - lovely.

A time to raise an old Titanic one prev. posted.

R.M.S. Titanic

In a new century not long yet in the turning
home fires of the world were happily burning.

Gestated from the deep womb of the Atlantic
was a story dramatic, tragic and romantic.

Below, in chandelier-lit salon of the sinking ship
a strewn champagne glass rolls and twinkles.

On deck, a musician's first tutored chord
in his far-off conservatoire echoes and tinkles.

Lives flash through minds, icy waters drip,
at hazard the prospects of all souls aboard.

A gambler tossing his final losing hand in
makes swerving way up a first class stair
swept mid throng of strangers, kith and kin;
no hurry, the code as males were all aware:
women and children first to fill the boats.

Such were morals and the decorum as R.M.S.
Titanic floats though holed in Atlantic iciness.
In the freezing chill and darkness She is still ...
a band plays on as to the end in duty on and
on, so bravely will, as long as they can stand.

Ladies cried loudly leaving sad husbands behind,
uncertainty of reunion afflicts each wifely mind
dark thoughts such victims think as hope sinks.
Husbands watch wives on lifeboats safe away
precious ones may live on, fervently they pray.

Mrs.Ida Straus would not depart and quit her
Mr., Isidor, they were together from the start,
she said and would not allow him to go before.

Potentates of great estate ponder the fickleness
and vicissitudes of fate. the foundering of this
great ship and state. It was by God so unthinkable,
claimed by her makers as watertight and unsinkable.

Thomas Andrews, a Belfast man had drawn the plans
and sailing's shortest straw, his ship was surely going
down as he so plainly saw, R.M.S.Titanic had not long;
lifeboats though few he would try to get full and away,
he organised their best dispatch, he himself would stay.

Well-off cabin and poor steerage passengers both on par
in growing perturbation share fears tears and desperation.
A grand White Star lady brought all down to equal station,
crew and officers' realization: no boats nor sure salvation.

Radio calls and flares had all gone off no sign yet of relief
a cleric intones a prayer to God seeking succour from belief.
Man had confronted an impenetrable wall of Nature and lost,
Her mighty berg of frozen water dominates the seas untossed.
Titanic ill luck, that curse of life, had dogged this maiden's trip,
not admitting of disaster quite unprepared for misfortune's grip.
Costs: priority of the day, ceded fewer lifeboat places than souls,
H.M.Board of Trade safety orders, were like Titanic, full of holes.

Warnings of nearby ice threat sent through confusions unreceived,
vain attempts to signal distress all misunderstood or not believed.
By irony the nearest ship of sunny name S.S.California belated came,
too late for her Captain Lord to gain credit or shed the blot of blame;
by then Titanic's Master Captain Smith was gone as was his mighty ship.

Mr.Marconi's radio telegraph had failed to help upon that fateful day,
in spite of mankind's machinations a perverse Luck had greatest sway.

Cheers Dude

From the distance
music come far
a man stands
holding his guitar
playing the tunes
stamping his feet
passers-by toss money
and meet with a greet
the hat, the guy
hey, a happy beat.

A shocker Frank.


Aaahhh! "Spread a little happiness." I wonder what the musician's story was. :sleep:

Not sure about the musician's story
but he was a fellow I came across yesterday while in Kingston outside Bentalls shopping centre, he was very good. The person I was with, gave some money as mutual appreciation for his talent and the guy said "Cheers Dude" to him

I wonder what his reaction would be if you gave him a copy of your poem. You should try it if you see him again.

Unfortunately his reaction may be that is one strange woman

Aaah! I thought you were a man. If you had been he would probably be very touched and treasure it - as you're a woman, perhaps he might misunderstand your intentions.

I was very impressed with his singing as were lots of other people. He did a Bob Dylan song as I walked away.

He just gets more deserving. Perhaps you should give him your poem while you have your male person with you.

The Wretched Sod.

How deep is the ocean?
How thin is the sky?
My love and devotion
to those who do try

to answer the questions
without any lies.
Consider suggestions
knowing how time flies.

How bad is the damage
to our pleasure dome?
I hope we do manage.
We are not alone.

All over the planet
the science of change
as I understand it
is within our range.

How rare is the feeling
to love to be fair
in all of our dealing
with kindness to spare.

The future is scary.
Like; when was it not?
No god or sky fairy
quite got the plot.

I say - we are human
and here we reside.
No final solution
to here be applied.

No reason for killing
for some ancient god.
It's our blood soaking
the wretched sod.

Spot on archiver. I love your sense of humour - we know nothing.

I see that Abu Ben Adhem fellow is messing us about again - funny old world.

Biz, you're too kind. I think today's going to be a somewhat mushy one for me. I'm usually pretty strong, but I've welled up twice already.

I recommend the 'When you die..." thread, if you've time. Skip my own nonsense (there's enough of that here). Some - most of the posts are beautiful.

I wonder if Aberdeen Musty is reconnected yet.

Thanks for all the good wishes everyone, the break was inspirational and I think it had a healing effect on me too. We visited seven stone circles in one day Aberdeenshire has over a hundred and sixty just in that area, off the beaten track but amazing


Great to see the thread's been rocking in my absence I love this one Archiver - as I read it the chorus-verse structure made me feel this was a song as well as a poem. In a piece full of thought-provoking and funny moments the two bits I've quoted particularly struck me; the line packed with ponds and the clever change from 'Him' to 'Hymn'. Much enjoyed


Another intriguing ode - if we really have an ancient god he must truly feel like a wretched sod witnessing the world. Great rhythm throughout the poem, it flowed effortlessly.


Brilliant write Frank - I like the use of the real people in this, which really brings home what happened. Some longer poems repay the effort of reading them and this one certainly does. A minor point - wasn't it the Carpathia that was the nearest ship to the Titanic?


What a good portrayal Sandy I have an admiration for buskers, it seems such a thankless task.

Hi Archiver We posted together On the Scottish trip I was accompanied by my brother and his wife. He had his laptop, but the only brief internet glimpse for me was asking him to check the thread - as a computer buff he enjoyed To Be Saved

I've read bits of that thread, and must admit I think there will be nothing, but I like the idea of DMT to ease the passing.

Sorry to hear you're upset - it must be something serious.

I see your final wondering has been settled.