Cornish band writes tribute song to Penlee lifeboat disaster
The single is raising money for a new granite memorial for the lives lost on the Union Star and Solomon Browne
A Cornish band has paid a moving tribute in a song dedicated to the lives lost at sea in the Penlee lifeboat disaster.
The Solomon Browne and her crew were lost at sea after going to rescue a stricken coaster the Union Star on the 19th of December 1981.
The Countrymen band have produced 'The Lights of Mousehole' to raise money for a new memorial in honour of the lives lost in the lifeboat and cargo ship 40 years ago.
Stephen Gilbert is one of the singers. He said: "It's just staggering, it's beyond belief really their courage".
Streaming and fundraising from the song will go towards a new granite memorial near Lamorna which will be built in respect of all 16 lives lost in hurricane force storms.
Stephen continued: "Having finished the song we thought some good to come off this and we were looking to see how we could fundraise off the back of it.
"It's really about the song that stands up on it's own as a tribute to the courage of the lifeboat crews. How they went out in that weather... We hope to do our little bit to give them a memorial at the top of the cliffs there".
The song includes real radio transmissions from the boat in tribute to the RNLI crew members lost at sea.
Stephen told us the band wanted to pay tribute not only to the lives lost but also pay their support to the friends and families of the crews.
He continued: "The fact we can help is great.
"The lyrics pay respect both the Union Star and the lifeboat crew. Also part of the song hails the courage of lifeboat crews across the country and we're asking people to support them at this time of year as well".
"It is, I believe, a powerful and emotional song. I would suggest and urge anyone if they don't know the full story of the Penlee lifeboat disaster... go and find out about it".
The 40th anniversary of the Penlee disaster falls on Sunday (19th December).
You can stream the song and find out more or donate directly to the cause.