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?