Defence Cuts - How do you tell the Kids?

What have they done to our Fleet, daddy?
What have they done to our Fleet?

They’re making their balance-sheet neat, my son
The mayhem is pretty complete.

Why are they scrapping the Ark, daddy?
Why are they scrapping the Ark?

I thought they were having a lark, my son
But they’ve made the future look dark.

Why have the Harriers gone, daddy?
Why have the Harriers gone?

Costs too much to keep them on, my son
The Fleet Air Arm’s future is done.

But they’re building two shiny new ships, daddy,
They’re building two shiny new ships.

Those vessels will stay on the slips, my son
Too costly to make any trips.

They’ve thrown our defences away, daddy!
Why have they thrown them away?

They’ve saved a few pennies that way, my son
But tomorrow’s a frightening day.


Copyright © B K Bilverstone October 2010