Cat. #1289 (MFH #566) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on November 30, 1971
VERSE 1
On a summer eve as th waves were ripplin'
By th soft an' gentle breeze
Did a ship set sail with a cargo laden
For a port beyond th sea
VERSE 2
There where sweethearts farewell, there were lovin' signals
Where her form would be
They know h'it not, for solemn parting
On th ship that never returned
VERSE 3
Did it ever return, no it never did return
And her fate is yet unlearned
For years an' years there were fond hearts waitin'
For the ship that never returned
VERSE 4
Said a feeble lad to his anxious Mother
I must cross th wide, wide sea
For they say perhaps in th fortin' country
There is health an' strength for me
VERSE 5
Was a gleam of hope an' a maze of dangers
And their heart for young a yourn
Though she sent him forth with a smile an' a blessin'
On the ship that never returned
VERSE 6
Do not leave me love, cried the anxious maiden
Do not cross the angry sea
For my heart will break, it lonely sorrow
But he sailed away on th sea
VERSE 7
Though with her to stay, he yarned to stay
An' th joys for, he earned
Watching for th ship that never returned
Only one more trip said a ----- seaman
As he kissed his weepin' wife
Only one more bag of the gold an' treasure
That will last us through our life
VERSE 9
Then we'll spend our days in a cozy cottage
And enjoy the rest we've earned
But alas, poor man, was sail Commander
On th ship that never returned