Diane Hine - Cruising lyrics

Crossing the Atlantic slate by steam an age ago, Hope and Mrs Petty played at dice, genteelly so. Mrs Petty, wearing luck was rattling for the toss when told, regretfully, they'd struck a berg and all was lost. The aging matron pressed poor Hope to stay and close the game. Protocol, she presupposed affirmed her valid claim. Minutes pa**ed away, unsaved before they climbed the stairs. Lifeboats flecked the chiselled waves. The canted deck was bare. Mrs Petty bade, 'No tears my dear, for life's mixed worth, and think of all the peaceful years you spent before your birth'. A deckchair pile scraped by, still stacked to blessedly display the last remaining lifeboat, packed and set to lower away. Last on board, the Captain paled, and clenched the sliding rope. Naval protocol entailed, he step aside for Hope. Mrs Petty waved to Hope. The lifeboat bobbed and skipped. The bladed waves sliced in below. The captain mourned his ship. 'Let's sing for King and country ma'am', he said, 'before we pray'. 'Nope', she answered, dealing cards, 'Today, I'd sooner play'.