A keel’s laid down that backbone of steel
From which is born a ship surreal
Ribs attached to form the hull
From which a body is made with love

Bends and folds with twists so bold
Clad around a form to hold
Engines and cargo to shield them fast
From all the rigours that can be lashed

Sun and storms you weather through
To carry cargo and our men too
Carry goods formed from our labour
And return with yours, it’s no favour

Life is short and so is our ship’s
But we carry on without a slip
Carrying loads without complaint
To keep the world’s economy straight

But when we die we are left to rust
Until time has come to dismantle us
All my steel can then recycle
And make a keel that I can rival

Brand new ships with all new paint
And I’ll be there to carry your freight
I keep going like the last
Proud to serve my makers past