Tony Norwell
Miscellaneous
Old Father Thames Is Tamed Today
Old Father Thames Is Tamed Today December 1984
Back in 1974 – work began to close the door –
To tides that could surge to London Town –
And flood our city so people drown.
So here’s to those who worked away –
That Father Thames is tamed today,
That Father Thames is tamed today!
Here’s to the people who worked so hard –
In sun and snow and night and day.
Our River can threaten us now no more –
Old Father Thames is tamed today,
Old Father Thames is tamed today!
In Woolwich Reach dredging began –
The south abutment and cofferdams –
And far below the river bed –
The mighty piers were concreted.
Five hundred main bearings from Massachusetts –
And Durham and Yorkshire built the main gates –
And Durham and Yorkshire built the main gates.
The sills were built and sunk in place;
Huge gates craned in to help the race.
To folk in England and Holland, too –
Austrians, Americans to name but few;
And here’s to those who worked away –
That Father Thames is tamed today –
That Father Thames is tamed today!
And here’s to those whose lives were lost –
For their loved ones will ever bear the cost –
Of making London safe for all –
That never more will people fall –
Victim to storm surges from Father Thames –
To those who died – thank each of them -
To those who died – thank each of them!
And now the machinery’s all installed –
Its power source – parts big and small.
Stainless steel on wood clad shells –
To protect the equipment and keep it well;
To help stop floods in London’s bower –
The gates can close in half an hour –
The gates can close in half an hour!

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