Traditional Sea Shanties & Sea Songs
Alabama

A Collection of lyrics for traditional Sea Shanties & Songs of the Sea.

Alabama

When the Alabama's keel was laid
Roll Alabama, roll
They laid her keel at Birkenhead
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

2. Oh, she was built in Birkenhead
Roll Alabama, roll
Built in the yard of Jonathan Laird
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

3. Away down the Mersey she rolled one day
Roll Alabama, roll
And across the "Western" she ploughed her way
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

4. With British guns, oh, she was stocked
Roll Alabama, roll
She sailed from Fayal, in Cherbourg she docked
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

5. To fight the north Semmes did employ
Roll Alabama, roll
Any method to kill and destroy
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

6. But of Cherbourg the Kearsage lay tight
Roll Alabama, roll
Awaiting was Winslow to start a good fight
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

7. Outside the three mile limit they fought
Roll Alabama, roll
An Semmes escaped on a fine British yacht
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

8. The Kearsage wonAlabama so brave
Roll Alabama, roll
Sank to the bottom of a watery grave
Oh, roll Alabama, roll