Been searching for this song for over a decade. It’s haunted my mind ever since I was a child and heard it at a civil war reenactment. Glad I finally found the original song and lyrics. Thank you.
Lyrics fyi: Come all you bold sailors give an ear to my ditty, Of a terrible battle that happened of late; That each Union-Tar shed a tear of his pity, When he thinks on the once gallant Cumberland's fate. The Eighth day of March told a terrible story. When many a brave tar to this world bid adieu! Our flag it was wrapped in a mantle of glory, By the heroic deeds of the Cumberlands crew. On the eighth day of March about ten in the morning, The day it was clear, and bright shone the sun; The drums of the Cumberland sounded a warning, Which told every sailor to stand by his gun. An iron-clad frigate down on us came bearing. And high up above the rebel flag flew; It´s pennant of treason it proudly was nearing. Determined to conquer the Cumberland's crew. Then up spoke our captain with stern resolution, Saying: Boys, by this monster now don't be dismayed! We´ve sworn to defend our beloved Constitution, And to die for our country we are not afraid! We´ll fight for the Union, our cause it is glorious, For the stars and the stripes we´ll stand ever true. We'll die at our stations, or conquer victorious! He was answered by cheers from the Cumberland's crew. Our noble ship fired huge guns' dreadful thunder. Our small-shot, like hail, on the Rebels did pour; The crowds all stood gazing in terror and wonder- As our shots struck her hull and glanced harmless o'er- But the pride of the Union could never be daunted, Though our decks with the dead and the wounded did strew; The Star Spangled Banner, how proudly it flaunted. It was nailed to the mast by the Cumberland's crew. Three hours they fought us with stern resolution, Till these rebels found cannon could never decide; The flag of secession had no power to quell us, Though our blood in the scuppers did crimson the tide, She struck us amidst-ship, our planks she did sever, Her cruel iron prow pierced our noble ship through: They cried as they sank in that dark rolling river, We'll die at our guns! said the Cumberland's crew. So slowly they sank in that dark rolling waters, Their voices on earth won´t be heard anymore They'll be wept by Columbia's brave sons and fair daughters! May their blood be avenged on Virginia's old shore!- And whenever our sailors in battle assemble, God bless our fair banner, the red, white and blue; Beneath it´s proud faults we´ll cause tyrants to tremble, Or die at our guns like the Cumberland´s Crew.
Been searching for this song for over a decade. It’s haunted my mind ever since I was a child and heard it at a civil war reenactment. Glad I finally found the original song and lyrics. Thank you.
A song with weight that the US should remember as of late.
Lyrics fyi:
Come all you bold sailors give an ear to my ditty,
Of a terrible battle that happened of late;
That each Union-Tar shed a tear of his pity,
When he thinks on the once gallant Cumberland's fate.
The Eighth day of March told a terrible story.
When many a brave tar to this world bid adieu!
Our flag it was wrapped in a mantle of glory,
By the heroic deeds of the Cumberlands crew.
On the eighth day of March about ten in the morning,
The day it was clear, and bright shone the sun;
The drums of the Cumberland sounded a warning,
Which told every sailor to stand by his gun.
An iron-clad frigate down on us came bearing.
And high up above the rebel flag flew;
It´s pennant of treason it proudly was nearing.
Determined to conquer the Cumberland's crew.
Then up spoke our captain with stern resolution,
Saying: Boys, by this monster now don't be dismayed!
We´ve sworn to defend our beloved Constitution,
And to die for our country we are not afraid!
We´ll fight for the Union, our cause it is glorious,
For the stars and the stripes we´ll stand ever true.
We'll die at our stations, or conquer victorious!
He was answered by cheers from the Cumberland's crew.
Our noble ship fired huge guns' dreadful thunder.
Our small-shot, like hail, on the Rebels did pour;
The crowds all stood gazing in terror and wonder-
As our shots struck her hull and glanced harmless o'er-
But the pride of the Union could never be daunted,
Though our decks with the dead and the wounded did strew;
The Star Spangled Banner, how proudly it flaunted.
It was nailed to the mast by the Cumberland's crew.
Three hours they fought us with stern resolution,
Till these rebels found cannon could never decide;
The flag of secession had no power to quell us,
Though our blood in the scuppers did crimson the tide,
She struck us amidst-ship, our planks she did sever,
Her cruel iron prow pierced our noble ship through:
They cried as they sank in that dark rolling river,
We'll die at our guns! said the Cumberland's crew.
So slowly they sank in that dark rolling waters,
Their voices on earth won´t be heard anymore
They'll be wept by Columbia's brave sons and fair daughters!
May their blood be avenged on Virginia's old shore!-
And whenever our sailors in battle assemble,
God bless our fair banner, the red, white and blue;
Beneath it´s proud faults we´ll cause tyrants to tremble,
Or die at our guns like the Cumberland´s Crew.
ruclips.net/video/aDJeArFNlSk/видео.html
I love this song as much as I do "Shiloh's Hill"! :)
One of my favs that John does!
Is this the same tune as "Lincoln's Army?"
Not quite, but similar in some ways...
We'll die at our guns said Donald Trump' s Crew.
Don the "Bunker Boy" don't like "Losers" or suckers that fight for the Colors. Esp. Navy, boyz.