If you meet a vessel in distress 1906
Written by R P Weston
From sheet music held by the British Music Hall Society


Standing on an ocean liner, gazing o'er the stormy sea
The Captain saw in a blinding gale
A ship in distress bearing but a rag of sail
"Standby! Lads" he gave the order"
"Standby! Till the storm has passed"
For I'll have you know, many years ago,
When a lad before the mast,
My captain always said to me,
"This is the rule, my lad at sea:"

If you should meet with a vessel in distress,
Stand by! Stand by!
Render all the aid you can,
Be he Man-o’-war or Merchantman
Sail right up and throw him out a line,
Take him in tow,
For you might want somebody to stand by you
Some day, you never know!

All of you vessels sailing, sailing o'er the seas of life,
And in the storm or in the calm sublime,
Your heart is the crew and the captain all the time;
So if sinking ships should hail you
Standby! For you must confess,
Though he flies no flag
Every tattered rag
Is a signal of distress;
He'll make the harbour safe, no doubt,
If you will help him so launch out.

If you should meet with a vessel in distress,
Stand by! Stand by!
Render all the aid you can,
Be he Man-o’-war or Merchantman
Sail right up and throw him out a line,
Take him in tow,
For you might want somebody to stand by you
Some day, you never know!