American Old Time Song Lyrics: 49 The Ship I Love

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 49

THE SHIP I LOVE.
Copyright, 1893, by Frank Tousey.
Composed by Felix McGlennon.

A gallant ship was lab'ring, lab'ring in the sea.
The captain stood amongst his crew, "Gather 'round," said he.
"The ship is doomed and sinking, there on the lee is land,
Then launch the boats and pull away, but here at my post I'll stand.
Good-bye, my lads, good-bye; good-bye, my lads, good-bye.

Chorus.
"I'll stick to the ship, lads, you save your lives,
I've no one to love me, you've children and wives;
You take to the boats, lads, praying to Heav'n above,
While I'll go down in the angry deep with the ship I love."

The crew stood hesitating, their hearts were staunch and true.
With tear-dimmed eyes spoke up the mate, "Sir, we will die with you."
The captain cried, "What, mutiny! I am the captain here;
So launch the boats and pull away, and think of your children dear.
Good-bye, my lads, good-bye; good-bye, my lads, good-bye.- Chorus.

The fierce winds howl 'round the sinking wreck,
And the captain stands on the wave-washed deck;
The good ship struggles like a thing of life,
And the timbers groan in the awful strife.
Slowly, slowly sinking is she,
But the captain brave, ah, where is he?
Down he goes to a sailor's grave,
As his last words are wafted across the wave:
"Good-bye, my lads, good-bye; good-bye, my lads, good-bye." - Chorus.