Classic Poem

Women and children all
First to the boat!
Quick to the crucial call
Lower—and float—
Only a swift good-by,
Meeting—ah when?
And we are left to die—
We are the men!

Ours is the better fate,
Would we then live?
They, without son or mate—
May God forgive
This untold sacrifice.
Courage! again,
Under the starlit skies—
We are the men!

Steerage and financier
Answer the roll,
Each with his duty clear,
Peace to his soul,
Though the great ocean roar
Victor—what then!
Heroes for evermore,
We are the men!