The Ship That Never Returned



'Twas a summer's day and the waves were rippled

By a soft and gentle breeze,

When a ship set sail with a cargo ladened

For a port beyond the sea.



There were fond farewells, loving demonstrations

By the ones who were most concerned.

Though they little knew 'twas the fatal voyage

Of the ship that never returned.



Did she ever return? No, she never returned,

And her fate is yet unlearned.

Though for years and years there were fond hearts watching

For the ship that never returned.



Said the feeble lad to his anxious mother,

"l must cross the deep blue sea,

For they say, perchance, in some foreign climate

There is help and strength for me."



'Twas a gleam of hope in the midst of danger

And her heart for her youngest yearned.

But she sent him forth with a smile and a blessing

On the ship that never returned.



"Only one more trip," said a gallant seaman

As he kissed his weeping wife.

"Only one more bag of the gold and treasure

And 'twill last us all through life.



"Then we'll settle down in our cosy cottage

And enjoy the rest we've earned."

But alas, poor man, for he sailed commander

Of the ship that never returned.



Did she ever return? No, she never returned,

And her fate is yet unlearned.

Though for years and years there were fond hearts watching

For the ship that never returned.



From Folk Songs Out of Wisconsin, Peters

Collected from Noble Brown, Millsville WI, 1946

see also CHARLMTA, WRECK97, METROAIL

@sailor

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