Your anode glows red,
your cathode stays blue.
The greater your output,
the brighter your hue.

Old friends, you and I,
my trusty glass bottle;
you never once failed me
when I pushed you full-throttle.

You bagged rare ones in pileups,
-each new one a thrill-
and lowered each winters'
big heating oil bill.

With no filament delays
just instant, huge power;
I pity that aluminum,
on top of the tower!

You've such power out it
keeps blowing the meter;
(and last time I tuned you,
you burned up my feeder).

Your case was so hot
the paint's all in blisters.
God bless vacuum tubes-
just try this with transistors!

The bands are improving,
there's "DXcitement" in store;
so hang in there, Ol' Friend,
for just one cycle more!