Today is the 25th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster.
With all the talk of oil lately, I think we should take a moment to remember the human cost.



The Death of a Piper
by John Fyvie, survivor

Come in standby vessel it’s Alpha sixteen
it’s a comfort to know that your there on the scene
I’ve a desperate feeling this midsummer’s night
there’s a stillness unusual something’s not right

The dayshift is sleeping the hour is nine
there’s a valve that is missing on a high pressure line
the stillness is broken what a terrible howl
demented and rabid like wolves on the prowl

The gas is escaping now fire teams wait
there’s a call for a muster but I fear it’s too late
an inferno is raging God! I’m all alone
the steel it’s melting like the flesh from our bone

Look here comes the “Tharos” but it’s doing no good
the black smoke engulfs us like a hanging man’s hood
oh! the fire it is spreading and panic is rife
a scaffolder cries out and jumps for his life

There’s men going crazy and screaming in pain
the sound of the dying it’s driving me insane
up in the derrick a roughneck in vain
cries for his mother to come ease his pain

Another explosion! That makes it three
the quarters we live in slide into the sea
inside men a weeping not really in fear
the thoughts that torment them are the folks they hold dear

For never to see them saddens their Heart
for death and oblivion will keep them apart
to the lad’s on the Piper you’ve not died in vain
we’ll remember you always and inherit your pain.