Oh! shipmates, come rally, and join in my ditty
Of a terrible battle that happened of late
Let each good Union tar shed a tear of sad pity
As he listens to the once gallant Cumberland's fate
It was the Eighth day of March oh this terrible story
And many a tar to this world bid adieu
But our flag it was wrapt in a mantle of glory
By the heroic deeds of the Cumberland's crew
On that ill-fated day about ten in the morning
The sky it was clear, and bright shone the sun
The drums of the Cumberland sounded a warning
Bidding each gallant seaman to stand by his gun
An iron-clad frigate down on us camе bearing
While high in the air a rеbel flag flew
A pennant of treason she proudly was waving
Determined to conquer the Cumberland's crew
♪
So our noble ship fired her guns' dreadful thunder
Her broadsides, like hail, on the Rebels did pour
But our sailors gazed on, filled with terror, and wonder
As our shots struck her sides and glanced harmlessly forth
But the pride of our navy could never be daunted
Tho' the dead and the dying our decks they did strew
The flag of our Union how proudly she flaunted
Sustained by the blood of the Cumberland's crew
♪
Three hours we fought them with stern resolution
'Til the rebels found cannon could never decide
The flag of secession had no power to gall them
Tho' the blood from her scuppers, did crimson the tide
Then she struck us on mid-ships, our planks she did sever
Her sharp iron prong pierced our noble ship through
And still, though she splintered and listed hard over
"We'll die at our guns!" cried the Cumberland's crew
♪
So slowly they sank 'neath Virginia's dark waters
And their voices on earth will ne'er be heard more
They'll be mourned by Columbia's brave sons and fair daughters
May their blood be avenged on Virginia's shore
In their battle-stained graves they are silently lying
Their souls have forever to each bid adieu
But the star-spangled banner above them is still flying
For it was nailed to the mast by the Cumberland's crew