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