Verse
D#
She was there at the dock when the lines cast off,
Cb C# D#
And the Fitz got under way.
F# C# D#
The sun shone down as the wake trailed out
G# D# A#
On that cold November day.
G# D#
When she wrapped her cloak over ship and crew,
G# D# A#
When the winds began to roar.
D# F# C# D#
Every man aboard tightened down their souls,
G# A# D#
Far from the Michigan shore.
[Violin]
F# C# D# G# G# G# D#
[Verse 2]
D#
McSorley true, telephoned the crew,
Cb C# D#
When the storm was setting in.
F# C# D#
Better hold on tight, through this day and night,
G# D# A#
Of straight line killer winds.
G# D#
Forty-four years I have met these storms,
G# D# A#
When Nor'easter gales have blown;
D# F# C# D#
But oh, these mountains on Superior,
G# A# D#
Are the worst I've ever known.
[Violin]
D# C# D# G# G# G# D#
[Verse 3]
D#
Who hears a prayer, when the wind strikes down
Cb C# D#
And the seas boil into foam,
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When the waves cap off and are blown away,
G# D# A#
And you're miles away from home?
G# D#
Who hears a cry when the north wind roars,
G# D# A#
And the crew are pitched to the rail,
D# F# C# D#
As the great ship rolls, and the church bell tolls,
G# A# D#
For those who are lost in the gale?
[Violin]
F# C# D# G# G# G# D#
D# C# C# G# G# G# D#
[Verse 4]
D#
When he first saw her, we'll never know,
Cb C# D#
On the deck wash, or the bridge.
F# C# D#
He must have known when the Fitz would groan,
G# D# A#
And the bow began to pitch;
G# D#
When she came for the crew, and McSorley too,
G# D# A#
As the Fitz rose up no more.
D# F# C# D#
"Oh, lady of the storms, you won this year,
G# A# D#
But I bested you for forty-four!"
[Violin]
D# D# D# G# G# G# D# D#
D# C# D# G# G# G# D