The Ambler Online

Their chances increased,
When the flare and the lifeboat were released,
Onto the sea and the storm and the rescue,
Go the brave and true lifeboat crew,
Death and danger and the waves they face,
Onward across the black rolling they race,

To the ship under panting and pounding,
Now floundering through the thunder still sounding,
Comes relief and delight in sight,
Below the bright glow of the high flare light,
Thankfully pulled from disaster,
Knowing the sea is the master,

As they head for the haven of safe dry land,
On board, with that noble band.

Amble

by Arnold Frost

I’ll tell you a story of Amble
That happened a long time ago
Of some folk that went on a ramble
Where they got to I don’t know

It was midnight and snow was a falling
As they all set off with a will
Someone said where are we calling
Others said lets go see Bill

The leader at front had got started
And snow was a falling around
Come lads don’t be downhearted
We’ll be on good solid ground.

Now underfoot got quite slippery
And some got a bit of a fright
The weather itself was quite nippy
Someone said look there’s a light.
That light that you see is a marker
Just where I thought it would be
The man lives there called Bill Parker
He’ll make us a nice cup of tea.

By this time the snow was much deeper
As they lightly knocked on the door
Surprise, surprise the lighthouse keeper
You’re on the island off shore

You’re on the island that you be
The keeper surprise in his eyes
You’d best come in and have some tea
And two or three lovely mince pies

I tell you the end of the story
As the keeper opened the door
I thought I had ended in glory
As I fell out of bed on the floor.

Voices of the storm

by Matt Donoghue

A sea storm roars in from the north
Waves crash upon the land
White breakers driven by the wind
Rush forward to the sand
Dark churning waters cold and grey
Crash down upon the rocks
The howling winds the driven rain
At mankind laughs and mocks

The harbour stands abandoned
A windswept concrete land
Cold waters pound the harbour walls
Wind driven dust and sand
The music of the wind and waves
Wild natures haunting sound
Trees and shrubs are battered low
Their roots torn from the ground

The wind roars o’er the house tops
The seaman sits at home
With doors and windows shuttered tight
Safe from waves and foam
His boat pulled high up on the shore
Safe out of dangers reach
Safe away from winter storms
High above the beach

His father died long years ago
On a storm lashed violent sea
Within sight of the harbour wall
A mile out from the quay
Caught out by sudden winter storms
His boat swamped by a wave
His body never washed ashore
A cold dark watery grave

He knows his father lies out there
Calling to his son
He hears him calling in the wind
When storms and high seas run
But he will not put out to sea
When he hears his father’s calls
He locks his doors and windows
Stays safe within stone walls

He waits till seas and winds are calm
Till waves have settled down
Before he once more puts to sea
Before he leaves the town
Born to be a fisherman
He knows no other way
He casts his nets and baits his pots
From dawn till dusk each day

His life is ruled by sea and tide
The smell of salt and brine
The cry of gull high on the wind
As he hauls his nets and line
With ever one eye on the sky
He watches waits and fears
Then sets sail quickly for the land
When his father’s voice he hears

He knows his father keeps him safe
His voice calls loud and clear
Cries out from deep beneath the waves
Whenever dangers near
He hears him calling in the wind
Whenever sea storms roar
He tells him ‘Son, stay safe at home
Stay safely on the shore’

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