Sea Warfare

In Lowestoft a boat was laid, Mark well what I do say! And she was built for the herring trade, But she has gone a-rovin', a-rovin', a-rovin', The Lord knows where!
They gave her Government coal to burn, And a Q.F. gun at bow and stern, And sent her out a-rovin', etc.
Her skipper was mate of a bucko ship Which always killed one man per trip, So he is used to rovin', etc.
Her mate was skipper of a chapel in Wales, And so he fights in topper and tails— Religi-ous tho' rovin', etc.
Her engineer is fifty-eight, So he's prepared to meet his fate, Which ain't unlikely rovin', etc.
Her leading-stoker's seventeen, So he don't know what the Judgments mean, Unless he cops 'em rovin', etc.
Her cook was chef in the Lost Dogs' Home, Mark well what I do say! And I'm sorry for Fritz when they all come A-rovin', a-rovin', a-roarin' and a-rovin', Round the North Sea rovin', The Lord knows where!

The Navy is very old and very wise. Much of her wisdom is on record and available for reference; but more of it works in the unconscious blood of those who serve her. She has a thousand years of experience, and can find precedent or parallel for any situation that the force of the weather or the malice of the King's enemies may bring about.