Verse
A
She was there at the dock when the lines cast off,
F G A
And the Fitz got under way.
C G A
The sun shone down as the wake trailed out
D A E
On that cold November day.
D A
When she wrapped her cloak over ship and crew,
D A E
When the winds began to roar.
A C G A
Every man aboard tightened down their souls,
D E A
Far from the Michigan shore.
[Violin]
C G A D D D A
[Verse 2]
A
McSorley true, telephoned the crew,
F G A
When the storm was setting in.
C G A
Better hold on tight, through this day and night,
D A E
Of straight line killer winds.
D A
Forty-four years I have met these storms,
D A E
When Nor'easter gales have blown;
A C G A
But oh, these mountains on Superior,
D E 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
F G A
And the seas boil into foam,
C G A
When the waves cap off and are blown away,
D A E
And you're miles away from home?
D A
Who hears a cry when the north wind roars,
D A E
And the crew are pitched to the rail,
A C G A
As the great ship rolls, and the church bell tolls,
D E 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,
F G A
On the deck wash, or the bridge.
C G A
He must have known when the Fitz would groan,
D A E
And the bow began to pitch;
D A
When she came for the crew, and McSorley too,
D A E
As the Fitz rose up no more.
A C G A
"Oh, lady of the storms, you won this year,
D E A
But I bested you for forty-four!"
[Violin]
A A A D D D A A
A G A D D D D