The Dreadnaught

One ship drives east and one ship drives west

By the self-same wind that blows

Yet the set of the sail and not the gale

The set of the sail and not the gale

Determines the way-i-aye-i-aye

That determines the way she goes

Oh there is a flash packet, flash packet of fame

She hails from New York and the Dreadnaught's her name

She's bound to the westward where the wide waters flow

Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go!

Derry down, down..., down derry down

Oh, the time of our leaving is now drawing nigh

Farewell pretty maids, we must bid ye goodbye

Farewell to old England and all we hold dear

Bound away in the Dreadnaught, to the westward we'll steer

Derry down, down..., down derry down

Now the Dreadnaught's a-howling, down the wild Irish Sea

Her passengers all merry and their hearts full of glee

While the sailors like tigers walk the decks to and fro

Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go

Derry down, down..., down derry down

Now the Dreadnaught is sailing the Atlantic so wide

Where the high roaring seas roll along her black side

With her topsails set taut for the Red Cross to show

She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go!

Derry down, down..., down derry down

Down..., down derry down

And now we're arriving in old New York town

We are bound for the Bowery to let sorrows drown

With our beer and strong liquor, we'll let the songs flow

And we will drink to the Dreadnaught wherever she may go!

Derry down, down..., down derry down

Down..., down derry down

Here's a health to the Dreadnaught and to all her brave crew

To bold Captain Samuels and his officers too

You may talk of your packets, Swallowtail and Black Ball

But the Dreadnaught's the flyer that outsails them all!

Derry down, down..., down derry down

Down..., down derry down

Now the story has ended, and the tale it is told

I hope me dear shipmates that you don't think me bold

But this song was composed while the watch was below

Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go

Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go

Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go

Derry down, down..., down derry down