T’was the night before Christmas
And all through the crew
Some were ploughing through gashies
Some having a brew,
The Boilers were steady
2 sprayers and a half
The “Steamer” and “Vappy”
both sharing a laugh,
The Bridge was all darkened
With red lights aglow
Bridge lookouts all salt sprayed
With no hint of snow,
The greenies were sleeping
What else would they do?
Whilst the Guts Watch Boiler crew
Cooked a crayfish or two,
In the ops room they plotted
A new possible threat
“Ease Up” said the Captain
There’s no trouble just yet,
In the galley, the Chef’s
Whom no restaurant could beat
Were all hard at work
With this year’s Christmas treat,
While the screens all lit up
With 8 targets and “tow”
The Turkey and Pork
Were all roasting below,
All clear says the PWO
This isn’t a trick
It’s Christmas Eve, Fella’s
And here comes Saint Nick,
No Helo crew needed
All tucked in their racks
Whilst Santa alighted
His Sleigh, with a sack,
Not toys, nor playstations
No Chockies or tanks
Santa’s sack was full up
To the brim, full of thanks,
From a nation so grateful
And ex-Pussers with a tear
Saying “Thanks” to the Sailors
Serving our Nation with no fear,
So thanks all you Shipmates,
You’re doing us proud.
And we’ll shout it from the mast head
And we’ll shout it out loud,
You’re uncouth and your rough
And loving and kind
Which is why we will never
Leave a shipmate behind