We met in the summer of 43
I was home on leave from being at sea
I’d been shot at and shelled everyday
But when I met you I was blown away

I was mesmerised by your elegant grace
And captivated by your beautiful face
We strolled on the promenade hand in hand
And sat down to talk by the old bandstand

We spoke of the future, our hopes and our fears
No mention of war, we didn’t want tears
The brass band was playing your favourite song
You told me you’d wait, no matter how long

All too quickly my shore leave had past
A long kiss goodbye, I hoped not the last
I promised you I would be back really soon
To take my future bride on her honeymoon

And so we set sail and you waved goodbye
I stood on the deck with a tear in my eye
Cursing the war and despising the Hun
And Hitler for all the damage he’d done

The war it ended in 45
Although it was tough, I made it alive
We pulled in the dock and was greeted with cheers
Flags were a-plenty and so were the tears
I eventually found you besides the dock crane
And promised that I’d never leave you again

The next month we married now husband and wife
And just a year later we created a life
A baby girl to fulfill our dreams
Even if we had to put up with the screams

A job in an office, a house in the sticks
And a daughter who got up to all sorts of tricks
But you were never going to be happy with one
And two years later you gave me a son

So we lived out our lives watching them grow
Into the adults which we now know

We watched them get married and have children too
Then all of a sudden it was just me and you
But we never felt bored, depressed or lonely
We just enjoyed each others company

But then you got ill and they told you to rest
Then took you to hospital to carry out tests
Cancer had struck there was no going back
But courage was one thing that you didn’t lack

I tended to your needs everyday
And cried to myself watching you waste away
For me it was so painful to see
And knowing you would be soon leaving me

It happened in the spring of 2003
Surrounded by our children and me
You fell to sleep with a smile on your face
So beautiful with an air of grace


But from the pain you have been set free
And once again you are waiting for me
So as I scatter your ashes released from this urn
Don’t worry my love, it will soon be my turn