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