Cicely Fox Smith




Copper Ore

The Jane Price of Swansea
Thirty days out,
With Copper ore from Carrizal
And sinking . . .

Drifting, 
With her cargo shifting
And her steering gear gone: 
And the pumps clanking on
The whole day through
And the whole night too, 
And the water gaining
Spite of all we can do,
And no use complaining 
And no use thinking . . .

In the Jane Price of Swansea 
Thirty days out,
With Copper ore from Carrizal
And sinking . . .

Drifting, 
Like a log, and lifting
To the big green seas 
That crash aboard like thunder,
With her lee rail under
And the water to our knees 
And all the while mounting,
And we've got past caring, 
And we've got past counting,
And the mate's quit swearing,
And the Old Man's drinking . . .

In the Jane Price of Swansea 
Thirty days out
With Copper ore from Carrizal
And sinking . . .