THOMPSON:-
You realise, Irwin, this is most irregular.....
Your superiors have assured me.....
My advisers are confident.....
I must insist on the programme
Being adhered to;
I have made my plans accordingly.
The Great British Public is all keyed up;
Our hands are to the plough;
No turning back.....
All right, if you're afraid, don't go!
We can easily replace you.
Surprised at you
Showing the white feather.....
Very well then, that's better.....
Gung ho, man; that's the spirit!.....
Yes, of course we can disregard
This conversation.

CURLY:
Squadron Leader Ralph Booth,
The commander of the R.100,
Would have been the only real
Substitute for Captain Irwin.
And, unlike Irwin, unlike me,
Booth was still in the RAF,
And, as a serving officer,
Could not refuse to fly the mission.
What's more, he was Bird's good friend,
And you can't drop your chum in it;
So poor old Bird ate humble pie;
He'd done his best according to his lights.

There was only time for one test flight,
And she felt OK.
Perhaps she could do it after all
Or at least get as far as Egypt,
And we'd come out of it with honour.
But the flight was in a flat calm,
And we had to fly slow
'Cause one engine still wasn't right.
Not what you'd call any real test,
And we were to leave the very next day!
I'm off-duty watch on the way back;
So I chat to the chaps
In the Chart Room
And listen to the Helmsman's song...

THE HELMSMAN:-
Their ship was stout and strong;
They said "Let's go a-sailing,
Although the light be failing,
Although the wind be strong.
We'll cut ourselves adrift
For we are fit and hearty.
We'll be a merry party,
With food and wine and song.
Perhaps we'll sail to Denmark
By way of old Hong Kong."
A Ship of Fools
A Ship of Fools.

They drifted out to sea
To where the storm was rising.
They found it quite surprising
That waves could grow so steep.
They feasted and drank free,
Despite the gale's roaring,
And soon each one was snoring
In sound and peaceful sleep.
And through the night their ship turned
And tossed up on the deep.
A Ship of Fools
A Ship of Fools.

They were blown back, safe to shore,
And so their journey ended,
And each one said "How splendid,
It has all gone just as planned."
And not one fool there saw
That some Angel, bold and jolly,
Who protects fools in their folly,
Must have brought them safe to land...
And, to that self-same Angel,
We commend us...
For we too are in his hand.
A Ship of Fools
A Ship of Fools
A Ship of Fools
A Ship of Fools.