The Submarine Kursk by IanC
(Tune: Lady Franklin's Lament)

IanC's Comments: Roger wrote: "I am pessimistic that the belated rescue attempts will be in time, I fear that someone will be composing a ballad to a lost brave crew on the lines of the "Springhill Mine Disaster" soon." He's obviously been proved right, though what was going round in my mind was the Franklin expedition rather than Springhill. Quite uncharacteristically, whilst commuting to and from work, a song developed. This is the first and probably the only song I'll write, but I've posted it here for what it's worth. Perhaps somebody will make something useful out of it. The last two verses were originally alternative endings, but I've kept both.


One Sunday morning I lay half-awake
My thoughts confused by my sleepy state
When first I heard on the radio
The fate of The Kursk and all of her crew

Whilst cruising slowly neath the Barents Sea
A great explosion, by some mystery,
Opened a hole in the bow, and then,
She went to bottom there with all her men

Some said there was news, and some said none,
Some said that all their air, it had all gone
The Russian Navy couldn't get her free
For stormy weather and the rolling sea

Those seafaring peoples they called upon
Britain and Norway sent both crew and men
While day on day the time passed by
If any had lived, we fear they'll die

And when the Kursk was opened in the deep
Wives, parents, comrades they had cause to weep
The Kursk was flooded, all its men long drowned
Only dead bodies was all that they found

Ye bold submariners, as you pass by
Take ye the glass, but don't drink it dry
Think on their fate as their bodies lie
Trapped and drowning in the Barents Sea

And, yes, my memory it does give me pain
Thoughts of all the mariners the sea has slain
The ocean cruel no pity gives
Nor yet a tear in its eyes do live

© Ian Chandler, 23-08-00