Cat. #0964 (MFH #414) - As sung by Almeda Riddle, Greers Ferry, Arkansas on February 10, 1970
VERSE 1
I will sing you a song of th Merrymac at sea
O, a fine large vessel was she
An' she set sail for New Orleans
Then, sank to th bottom of th sea
VERSE 2
O, that sea how it rolls, how it roars
An' th noisy winds, hear 'em blow
Tossing a sailor man to an' fro
And th ladies have all gone below
VERSE 3
Now, th first that came up was th Captain bold
O, fine young man was he
Said, I've got a wife down in New Orleans
An' tonight she'll be lookin' for me
VERSE 4
She can look, she can gaze with her beaytiful eyes
Gaze out to th sea
She may pray for me but I never will return
For tomorrow on th bottom we will be
VERSE 5
O, that sea how it tolls, how it roars
An' th noisy winds, hear 'em blow
Tossing a sailor man to an' fro
And th ladies have all gone below
VERSE 6
Now, th next that came up was a little cabin boy
What fine young man was he
Said, I have a Mother too, in New Orleans
An' tonight she'll be lookin' for me
VERSE 7
She can gaze, she can look with her wistful eyes
Gaze t'wards th bottom of th sea
She will pray for me but I never will return
For tomorrow on th bottom we will be
VERSE 8
Then th last that came up was th old greasy cook
O, greasy ole customer he
Said, I'm thinkin' more about my pot, kettle an' hook
Than I am about th roaring o' th sea
VERSE 9
Th sea how it rools an' it roars
An' th noisy winds, hear 'em blow
Tossing a sailor man to an' fro
And th ladies have all gone below
VERSE 10
Then around an' around and three times around
An' around an' 'round went she
They will look for her but she never will return
For tomorrow on th bottom she will be
VERSE 11
O, th wind how it blows an' roars
Th noisy wind, hear it blow
Tossing a sailor man to and fro
And th ladies have all gone below