Reprinted from the June 1957 issue of The Bermudian

 

O, I’ve kept my watch for centuries

In every kind of weather,

Since the Olden day when galleons

Linked all the seas together.

I mark the crossroads of the sea,

I greet ships hour by hour,

And through the inky night I throw

My brightest candlepower.

Thereof I boast with seemly pride

But lack of all vainglory,

Small need to sing my praises now,

All seamen know my story;

The lookouts see my guiding light,

My oriflamme of danger,

I greet the mailboat going home,

I warn the inbound stranger.

I hail the modern racing yachts,

I note the tiny baiter,

I’ve watched the great four-funnelled ships

Out-run the nine-knot freighter.

I see the grim and ghostly hulls

If warships in the distance

Ready to defend my shores

Or render prompt assistance.

I knew the Spanish treasure ships,

I’ve seen the pirate raiders

Scouring the ocean lanes to seize

Defenceless merchant traders.

My home-built ships I’ve watched with pride,

Barque, brig, and fore-and-after,

That traded into far-off ports

From Deal to Madagascar.

I’ve lived to see the four-day ship

In calm or gale or blizzard

Steaming nearly thirty knots

‘Twixt Sandy Hook and Lizard.

That’s going some, full well I mind

When two weeks was the limit

From Liverpool to Halifax –

It took them years to trim it.

The ships I’ve seen since time began

Would make a vast collections

Since Bermudez came and hailed my shores

They’ve come from all directions;

From all the ports of all the world

All rigs, all shapes and sizes,

Some in search of colonies,

Others out for prizes.

And once a year the hurricanes

Come by like kine stampeded.

The out to sea they roar again

With further havoc spawning

Leaving behind a littered shore

To greet tomorrow’s dawning.

Yet in the golden summer days

With only soft winds blowing,

The lapping wavelets wash my shore,

A gentle peace bestowing.

’Tis then the memories return

Of centuries half-forgotten

When giants colonized the West

By deeds through faith begotten.

Aye, I’ve kept my watch for centuries

In every kind of weather,

Since the olden days when galleons

Linked all the seas together.

I mark the crossroads of the sea,

I greet ships hour by hour,

And through the inky night I throw

My brightness candlepower.

P.W. Wright