Pamir
(c) Words & Music Rudy Sunde 2010
I’ll tell you a story, one so old and true
All about a bonny barque sailed the ocean blue
Her name was Pamir me boys, build in 1905
Built for the Nitrate trade, for the Flying P Line
[Chorus]
Farewell Pamir, farewell and adieu,
Farewell you bonny barque, farewell to your gallant crew
No more will we see you, nor your likes again
Sailing o’er Pacific blue, sailing over the main.
Ten thousand tonnes of steel, four masts so high
Ever reaching up me boys, reaching for the sky
She bravely sailed around Cape Horn, sailed oh so proud
Billowing sails up aloft, a wondrous canvas cloud
[Chorus]
She flew the Finnish flag then, back in ’41
Sailed into Wellington, the war had just begun
She was claimed as a prize, went to sea again
Kiwi lads at the helm, made for ‘Frisco Bay
[Chorus]
Sailing o’er Pacific blue, Pamir under sail
Met a Japanese submarine, lying there in wait
Commander Kudo of the sub, looked at her with awe
‘I cannot sink this lovely ship, sail forever more’
[Chorus]
After the war she sailed the last grain race
Australia to England 128 days
A German company bought her then ’twas in ’49
A training ship for young cadets, she served them well and fine
[Chorus]
The year was ’57 lads, it was an awful day,
Pamir faced a raging storm, faced those monstrous waves
Atlantic Ocean’s a lonely place, Pamir’s in her grave
Eighty men did die that day, six only were saved
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamir_(ship)
