Simon’s Song

by Michael
(London, UK)

Simon, Able Seacat, as many know, was a very courageous black and white ships cat during the Yangtze incident in 1949.

There are a couple of articles on PoC where I refer to this cat:

• Simon the Cat
• Brave Cat - he is mentioned in the comments to this article

In memory of this wonderful cat, Ruth (Monty's mom) has composed, produced and performed Simon's Song. Credit too must go to Ruth's young friend, Emily, who sang along and who also helped with creative input. Monty has been very interested in the song too. Ruth says this about Monty's involvement:

I was recording the piano part he was standing on the computer keyboard in the other room. I heard it because he kept steping on the volume control for the computer, so I had to stop playing and retrieve him, or who knows what he might step on. I picked him up and praised him for helping and he purred like crazy. He seemed to really think he was helping. Then I locked him in the basement and finished my recording!

Simon is the only cat to receive the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the famous Victoria Cross, (the highest award for gallantry for people).

Simon's Song is a first on the internet as far as I am aware. I know of no other song specially written and performed about a single cat for publication on the internet. If you have heard of other cat songs that have been written for distribution on the internet I would love to hear from you.

One comes to mind that was written for a film: Siamese cat song written for the Walt Disney animated feature (cartoon film), "The Lady and the Tramp" and co-authored by Peggy Lee.

Here are the lyrics to Simon's Song (one line may have been left out of the final version but I'll wait for Ruth to confirm that):

Simon, Able Seacat

In a dark and hidden place somewhere in Hong Kong,
back in 1947 a tiny cat was born.

To a Hong Kong dock yard came that little cat;
frightened, starving, sickly; lived his life like that.

Seaman George was just seventeen and he dearly missed his home.
Saw that little scrawny cat, knew that it would be his own.

Hands reached down around the stray cat, quickly picked him up.
Struggling cat heard friendly voice say, "You will bring good luck!"

Stealthily George brought that cat aboard the Amethyst.
The captain found the tiny cat, the frightened kitten hissed!
"I've named him Simon. Sir, you know I meant no disrespect.
And if you let me keep him he will keep the rats in check!"
"Young George, I fear your kitty may not even live a day,
but if you can make him healthy then this cat may surely stay."

Simon, sickly Simon, he grew healthier each day,
as he kept the seaman's promise; keeping ugly rats away.
Able seacat, Simon seacat, loved by all the men,
he was more than just a mouser for he was their furry friend.

Loyal Simon, little Simon, sleeping on the captain's lap.
Even as he calmly slept there, enemies had laid a trap.

Danger waits for Simon seacat, touching brav'ry he will show.
Ship bombarded, fifty times hit, no place for a cat to go.
Amethyst on Yangtze River, fired upon by Chinese guns,
Ship was damaged, men were killed as terrified a small cat runs.
Bravely Simon, hit by shrapnel, sought his friends, he did not hide.
Sought the high decks, friends would help him, had he hid, he would have died.
Simon, wounded Simon, thought he'd never hunt again,
but his crewmates dearly loved him for he was their little friend.
Tirelessly they tried to save him, burns and wounds to mend.
But he was badly hurt; they feared they'd lose him in the end.

Simon soon returned to duty, cheering up the men
who had lost much in the battle, but still had their loyal friend.
Children heard the story of this cat so true and brave,
and they also loved small Simon, but his injuries were grave.

Time ran out for precious Simon, while he sat in quarantine.
Waiting there to enter England, problems from his wounds were seen.
Precious Simon, darling Simon, we'll not see your like again.
Born a lowly, sickly stray cat, died a hero and a friend.

Here is the link to the song. It is in MP3 format. When you click on the link it should be played automatically by Windows Media Player, on a PC, and by Quick Time Player on a Mac:

Simon's Song - opens in a new tab or window.

Bye for now..Please leave some feedback in a comment - thanks