Cat. #0043 (MFH #566) - As sung by Clyde "Slim" Wilson, Springfield, Missouri on March 3, 1958
VERSE 1
On a summer's day while th waves were ripplin'
With a quite and gentle breeze
A ship set sail, with a cargo laden
For a port beyond th sea
VERSE 2
Did she ever return, no, she never returned
And her fate is still unlearned
But alas, poor man, set sail commander
On a ship that never returned
VERSE 3
There were sad farewells, there were friends forsaken
An' her fate is still unlearned
But alas, poor man, set sail commander
On a ship that never returned
VERSE 4
Said a feeble lad, to his aged Mother,
I must cross th wide, wide sea
They say perchance in a foreign country
There is strength and health for me
VERSE 5
T'is a gleam of hope and a maze of danger
And her fate is still unlearned
And alas, poor man, set sail commander
On a ship that never returned
VERSE 6
Just one more trip, said th feeble Captain
As he kissed his weeping wife
Just one more purse of that golden treasure
It will last us all thru life
VERSE 7
Then we'll live in peace and joy together
And enjoy all I have earned
So, they set him forth, with a smile and a blessing
On a ship that never returned
VERSE 8
Did she ever return, no, she never returned
An' her sad fate is still unlearned
Tho' for years an' years there's been fond hearts waiting
For th ship that never returned