Show Some Respect

[Verse 1]

Show some respect on this deck for the dear departed

Gather you round let's be bound by the work we started

Save all your strength for the length of the task before us

Think on that ship on the slipway they can't ignore us

It's what he would have wanted, he'll not be disappointed

Each of us well appointed, we've all but been anointed

Such was our occupation, this means of our salvation

We'll make a rope out of our dreams and hopes and tribulations

[Chorus]

We'll weave these strands together, we'll splice a rope and tether

And though we won't know whether, it's fair or stormy weather

We'll quit this quay

And we'll cast this net of souls upon the sea

[Verse 2]

Pick up your tools, we're not fools to be treated lightly

We'll weld our souls to the bulkheads, secure them tightly

We'll use the skills and the crafts that our fathers taught us

We work with pride, not as slaves, no one ever bought us

We'll weave a net of our dreams and our hopes between us

We'll be the envy of that sorry bunch who'll wish they'd been us

We'll form a web of steel, a structure that will not be broken

We'll be the heroes of the day whenever tales are spoken

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]

Come strike the floor with your feet all you lads and lasses

And if you're too old to dance, you can raise your glasses

Just come on in, take a spin, in your dreams you've held her

What are you? Man or a mouse, or a shipyard welder?

Shy bairns get nowt for waiting, so why you hesitating?

Ships don't get built debating, or launched just contemplating

Wear out your old shoe leather, we're in this dance together

We'll pull the blades and feather, in fair or clement weather

[Chorus]

[Verse 4]

Show some respect, fill the deck, get the lassies twirling

Because they expect to be swept off their feet and whirling

Life is a dance, a romance where ye take your chances

Just don't be left on the shores of regretful glances

We may not drive Rolls Royces, we're hardly spoilt for choices

If we're to pay invoices, we'll need to raise our voices

Our strength is in communion, this boilermakers' union

The shipwright welders' guilds, with every working station filled

[Outro]

These bonds we've spliced together, will face all kinds of weather

Considered altogether, and sailing Hell for leather

We'll quit this quay

And we'll cast this net of souls upon the sea

Where will you be

When we cast this net of souls upon the sea?