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