Verse
G
She was there at the dock when the lines cast off,
Eb F G
And the Fitz got under way.
A# 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 A# F G
Every man aboard tightened down their souls,
C D G
Far from the Michigan shore.
[Violin]
A# F G C C C G
[Verse 2]
G
McSorley true, telephoned the crew,
Eb F G
When the storm was setting in.
A# 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 A# 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
Eb F G
And the seas boil into foam,
A# 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 A# F G
As the great ship rolls, and the church bell tolls,
C D G
For those who are lost in the gale?
[Violin]
A# 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,
Eb F G
On the deck wash, or the bridge.
A# 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 A# 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