Cat. #1549 (MFH #566) - As sung by Melvin Rogers, Ava, Missouri on April 8, 1975
VERSE 1
Was a summer day, not a wave was rippling
On a soft an' blewy reef
A ship set sail with it's cargo laden
For parts beyond th sea
VERSE 2
Said a feeble lad to his anxious Mother
I must cross th deep blue sea
For they say, perchance, in some foreign climate
There is health an' wealth for me
VERSE 3
There's a ray of hope in th midst of danger
For her heart, for her boy did burn
So she sent him home with a kiss an' a blessing
On th good ship that never returned
VERSE 4
Did she ever return, no she never returned
An' 'er fate is yet unlearned
But for years an' years, there were fond hearts waiting
On th good ship that never returned