CYCLONE LARRY 

 

Every year the cyclones

Are spawned far out to sea

And many tales have there been told

Of force one and two and three

But never in the annuls

Of any man still alive

Was ever faced the awesome threat

Of a category five.

 

Late into the season

Of March one recent year

When a cyclone they named Larry

(First nothing to fear)

Slowly gained momentum

None knew what was in store

For instead of roaming safe at sea

It tracked steady for the shore.

 

(Instrumental interlude)

 

Westward, an unerring course

It was an ominous sign

And up and down our tropic coast

All prayed the Sun would shine

For several days it’s grim intent

Maintained a Western drive

Force three to four, when at our door

Dear Lord, was rated five.

 

In the townships and the homesteads

Through afternoon and night

Folk took final measures

Hoped all was battened tight

Through the first hours of morning

Not many of them slept

And even the faint hearted

Were forgiven when they wept.

 

The people stared in horror

When the wind reached a peak

All cowered in sheltered corners

Nor anyone could speak

Nerves stretched to the limit

As roofs were swept away

And the very walls imploded

Some feared, a Judgement Day.

 

(Instrumental interlude)

 

Without a let or hindrance

The tempest raged untamed

And left no means of comfort

For the young, the old and lamed

Little children whimpered

No shame in this, no shame

For hundreds all around them

Were fearful just the same.

 

Though shattered, their conviction

Such things will surely pass

The flying debris all around

Finally settled on the grass

In trembling trepidation

Ventured out to clearing skies

What utter desolation, God

There before their eyes

 

(Instrumental interlude)

 

They little saw what was before

No building left unscathed

And from the twisted, tangled wreck

Very little could be saved

From every forest tree you’ll see

Both leaf and limb were stripped

From others tall, their roots and all

From the earth were ripped.

Nature will recover

The scars will all soon fade

Again, we all may cherish

Both beach and forest glade

But remember well this missive

And pray you’ll never see

Such awesome force as Larry

Come storming from the sea.

 

Remember well this missive

And pray you’ll never see

Such awesome force as Larry

Come storming from the sea.

 

(Instrumental outro)

 

 Rodd Sherwin

RECORDING LINKS

SPOTIFY

APPLE MUSIC

YOUTUBE

RETURN TO CONTENTS MENU

PREVIOUS PAGE

TURN TO NEXT PAGE