This two-page hand-written poem was found among the possessions of Simon Strauss, who worked at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company "shipyards" during World War II. It was passed on to family members by his wife, Matilda Strauss. It is assumed that Simon Strauss was the author. With its references to the many departments and jobs within the "yards," the poem conveys a sense of humor, comradeship, and pride in the work that was being done.
Twas the day before Xmas,
And all thru the yards, Not a creature was stirring,
Not even the guards,
The chippers were silent,
The welders asleep,
The fitters were talking of problems to deep
The electricians were pulling their cable so strong
The machinists were putting their valves in wrong
The bosses were standing around in a bunch
Wondering if it was to early to lunch
The pipe fitters were wandering around like fools
Wondering where they left their tools
The painters were standing around in the can,
Until in came their leader you should see how they ran
The guys in the tool rooms were happy and gay
Cause nobody came in for a tool all day
The staging building stood on the boat with a chaw
Trying to spit on the carpenters saw
The erectors were huddled around in a group
Hollering for their leaders to put on the soup
The crane men above finally got the drift
And no one could get them to get one more lift
The bolters were the only gang in the groove
But even their bosses couldn't get them to move
The burner was busy,
His torch all aflame,
For a Christmas tree stand,
He was making a frame,
The guys in the plate shop were filled with good cheer
Anxious to get home for a bottle of beer,
If you think the office was busy, you're wrong,
All the work they did you could buy for a song,
Even the big shots were heard to remark
Of the plans that they had to fulfill after dark
The sweepers and cleaners sat near their brush
Till the 4 O'clock whistle put them in a rush
The nurses were working with all their might
The fix up the boys for Saturday nite,
From the gist of this poem, I suppose you say
That the guys in the shipyards loaf all day,
But before an opinion is formed in your mind,
Look at our record and there you will find,
That for 364 days of the year,
The shipyards is busy till the day before Xmas is here.