“Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.”
— Winston Churchill 1941
Learned of this as a child some 65-years ago. It was something like Winnie’s “state of the island” speech.
February 9, 1941
BBC broadcast by Winston Churchill
“Ship of State” Speech
“The other day, President Roosevelt gave his opponent in the late Presidential Election [Mr. Wendell Willkie] a letter of introduction to me, and in it he wrote out a verse, in his own handwriting, from Longfellow, which he said, “applies to you people as it does to us.” Here is the verse:
‘. . .Sail on, O Ship of State!
Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate!’
What is the answer that I shall give, in your name, to this great man, the thrice-chosen head of a nation of a hundred and thirty millions? Here is the answer which I will give to President Roosevelt:
‘Put your confidence in us. Give us your faith and your blessing, and, under Providence, all will be well.
We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle, nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down. Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.’ ”
https://winstonchurchill.org/resources/speeches/1941-1945-war-leader/give-us-the-tools/