Thunder Child

Ulla!

The steamer began to move slowly away but on the landward horizon appeared the silhouette of a fighting machine
Another came, and another, striding over hills and plunging far out to sea and blocking the exit of the steamer
Between them lay the silent, grey Ironclad Thunder Child
Slowly it moved towards shore
Then, with a deafening roar and whoosh of spray,
It swung about and drove at full speed towards the waiting Martians

There were ships of shapes and sizes
Scattered out along the bay
And I thought I heard her calling
As the steamer pulled away
The invaders must have seen them
As across the coast they filed
Standing firm between them
There lay Thunder Child

Moving swiftly through the waters
Cannons blazing as she came
Brought a mighty metal warlord
Crashing down in sheets of flame
Sensing victory was nearing
Thinking fortune must have smiled
People started cheering
"Come on, Thunder Child!"
"Come on, Thunder Child!"

The Martians released their Black Smoke, but the ship sped on
Cutting down one of the tripod figures
Instantly, the others raised their Heat Rays
And melted the Thunder Child's valiant heart

Lashing ropes and smashing timbers
Flashing heat rays pierced the deck
Dashing hopes for our deliverance
As they watched the sinking wreck
With the smoke of battle clearing
Over graves in waves defiled
Slowly disappearing
Farewell, Thunder Child!

Slowly disappearing
Farewell, Thunder Child!
Farewell, Thunder Child!
Farewell, Thunder Child (Child, Child, Child, Child)

When the smoke cleared, the little steamer had reached the misty horizon and Carrie was safe
But the Thunder Child had vanished forever, taking with her man's last hope of victory
The leaden sky was lit by green flashes, cylinder following cylinder
And no one and nothing was left now to fight them
The Earth belonged to the Martians

Ulla!