Armed Merchantmen: An Old Song Re-Sung Poem by Cicely Fox Smith

By the Liverpool Docks at the break of the day,
I saw a flash packet, bound westward away;
And well did I mark how each new-mounted gun
Like silver did gleam in the first morning sun.

Bound away, bound away, where the wide waters flow,
She's a Liverpool packet - oh, Lord, let her go!

For thieves be abroad on the ocean highway
To harass our traders by night and by day,
But let such attempt her, to take or assail,
They may find to their cost she's a sting in her tail.

She's a crack ocean liner - now catch her who can! -
Her crew are true British and game to a man;
The pirates of Potsdam had best have a care -
She's the Navy's stepdaughter, and touch her who dare!

Bound away, bound away, with a bone in her mouth,
She passes the Bar light, she turns to the south,
A Liverpool packet that stays for no foe -
Safe, safe on her journey, oh, Lord, let her go!

Bound away, bound away, where the wide waters flow,
She's a Liverpool packet, - oh, Lord, let her go!