A Stetson and a Helping Hand

As a boy in the Sea Cadets, you got a taste for sea.
Then the Territorial Army brought another way to be.
You drove a tanker down the roads with miles of work ahead.
Now you climb aboard the ships to hear what's being said.

From the cabin to the council, you've worn a hat or two, but there's one familiar thread in all the things you do.
Meeting people where they are, whatever life has planned, with a Stetson, a smile, and a helping hand.
Here's to Shane, with his boots upon the quay.
A welcome for the people who make their living at sea.

An orange splash of colour and a Stetson on his head.
A little time to listen to the things that go unsaid.
From the Tyne down to the Tees, there's plenty left to do.
Shane, this one's for the work and the man behind it, too.

You led Hartlepool Council, stood independent on your own.
A different kind of watch from the working life you'd known.
Now the mission to seafarers puts a new course on your chart, with ship visits on the list and the North East at its heart.
There are volunteers to welcome, more good people to recruit.

You don't need a sailor's cap or a politician's suit.
Just someone with a little time who's willing to lend a hand, and you'll help them find a place within the team across the land.
Here's to Shane, with his boots upon the quay.
A welcome for the people who make their living at sea.

An orange splash of colour and a Stetson on his head.
A little time to listen to the things that go unsaid.
From the Tyne down to the Tees, there's plenty left to do.
Shane, this one's for the work and the man behind it, too.

Centre managers are calling.
There's another day to steer.
A question to work through or a plan that needs an ear.
You're helping keep the teams together, helping things move on, then heading up a gangway before the ship is gone.

And somewhere in that busy week, the books come out again.
Training for ordination, making room for study then.
Another step upon a road that's taken quite a turn.
From tanker wheels to chapel doors with plenty still to learn.

Now orange isn't subtle, and a Stetson's hard to miss, but we'd never ask you, Shane, to give up either bit.
There may be no wild horses waiting down beside the dock, but there's always one more ship to see And one more glance at the clock.
Here's to Shane, with his boots upon the quay.
A welcome for the people who make their living at sea.

An orange splash of colour and a Stetson on his head.
A little time to listen to the things that go unsaid.
To the volunteers and managers, to the crews you get to know.
To the work across the North East and the places yet to go.

A Stetson, a smile, and a helping hand.
Sea cadet to chaplain, what a journey it has been.
Keep a little orange in it, Shane, and keep that Stetson seen.