Who Dare to Live

Words at war presents? Who dare to live? I have loved ships too much perhaps for my own good. God help us sentimental chaps when steel and wood and faithful craftsmanship can so contrive to work their spell until that alchemy becomes alive in you as well.

A brave man dies but once I've heard. And who am I to doubt a poet's or a brave man's word? We others try to join the ragged band who share the mortal pain of death repeated, yet who dare to live again.

Words at War The National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with the Council on Books in War Time brings you another in the series of radio treatments of important books of this war. Tonight, our presentation is the narrative poem, Who Dare to Live by Frederick B. Watt, Lieutenant Commander of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve.

A tribute to the British merchant Marine, and to the merchant seamen of all the United Nations. Fairly is near Vancouver in British Columbia, just a bit north of your own proud state of Washington. Just a bit dearer to me and best, and anything in God's world, except a certain flying gentleman we call our son.

Well, let him ride the wind over Germany. I am here in the quiet, lighted living room at Fairly with vests. Happy? Yes, that well might be, except for two sad letters on my knee. Sorry, dear Captain. There is no place for you at present. All our birds are filled.

Of lathe has been more ships than Captain's kill. Added to that it's really only fair, younger, less tested men should do their share. You, after all, are one of those who bore all the strain the first two years of war. When there's an opening...