The Cumberland and the Merrimac

Lyrics courtesy of www.sailorsongs.com

Come all my jolly seamen, Likewise you landsmen too.               

It is a dreadful story I will unfold to you

It's all about the Cumberland, The ship so true and brave

And it's many the loyal seamen That met a watery grave.

It was early in the morning, Just at the break of day,

     When our good ship the Cumberland lay anchored in the bay

     When the man from on the lookout down to the rest did say:

There is something like a housetop to the larboard she does lay


Then our captain took his telescope and he gazed far o'er the blue.

                Turning 'round he said as follows  to his brave and loyal crew:

                That thing you see over yonder just like a turtle's back,

                 Is that cursed Rebel steamer they call the Merrimac

Then our decks were cleared for action each gun was pointed true

 But still that Rebel steamer came steaming o'er the blue

And on she kept a-coming till no distance did us part,

When she sent a ball a-humming that stilled the beat of many's the heart.

In vain we poured our broadsides Into her ribs of steel

     But still no breach was in her no damage did she feel

     Up stepped the Rebel commander in a voice of thunder spoke

     Pull down your flying colors Or I'll sink your Yankee boat

Then our captain's eyes did glisten his face grew pale with rage,

               And in a voice of thunder to the Rebel commander said

               My crew is brave and loyal and by me they will stand

               And before I'll strike my colors You can sink me an be damned

Then this ironclad she left us a hundred yards or more

  The screeching and screaming of her balls, our wooden sides she tore

 She struck us right amidships her ram went crashing through

 And the waters they came pouring in on the brave and loyal crew

Then our captain turned unto his men and unto them did say

      I'll not leave the Cumberland while she does ride the wave

       It's you, my loyal comrades may seek your lives to save

       But I'll go down with my gallant ship for to meet a watery grave

They swore that they'd not leave her and manned the guns afresh

                 And broadside after broadside poured till the waters reached their breasts

                 And as they down went sinking down in the briny deep

                 The Stars and Stripes still floated from the maintop's highest peak

Lyrics courtesy of www.sailorsongs.com