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The Loss of the Iolaire

 

Twas a cold and stormy winter’s night

As the vessel neared the shore

Brave sailors coming home at last

To the loved ones they adored

 

Snow flurries and hail blew all around

While the lookouts strained to see

The deadly rocks that lay ahead

As they struggled to find a lee

 

The grinding crunch of wood on rocks

Then the ringing of the ships great bell

Brought home to the war weary sailors

They were back in a living hell

 

As poor mothers clung to their children

The news spread quickly around

That the ship that carried home their men

Was stuck now hard aground

 

As men were thrown into the sea

To the cries of deep despair

This dark New Year was to be the end

For those men on the Iolaire

 

The Beasts of Holm had struck again

In the dark of the winter’s night

But the coming of the morning

Would reveal such a terrible sight

 

 

As loved ones gathered on the shore

Their heads bowed down in grace

Then searching amongst the toys and men

Trying to find a dear loved ones face

 

 

We can only stop and wonder why

Nature dealt this cruel, cruel hand

Taking the lives of so many men

So near to their homes and land

 

 

Now a monument stands so tall and stark

Marking the final resting place

Where 205 brave seamen lost their lives

Now just memories and a fleeting face.

 

Jim Campbell.