THE CUMBERLAND’S CREW Tune Traditional Frank /James Kneeland Searsport, Maine 1914 Mr. Fowler of Mattawamkeag, Maine 1916 via Gray Lewis F. Gott, Bernard, Me, November 6. 1925 via Barry Edward Sandy Ives- Drive Dull Care Away, pp. 16-17, 244, "The Cumberland's Crew" (1 text, 1 tune) Recording-Folk Songs of Maine Edward "Sandy" Ives FW05323 / FH 5323 1959 Folkways Records, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage This of course recounts the destruction of the USS "Cumberland" (along with the "Saratoga” and others) by the iron or steel rails protected “Merrlmac” , to which the Confederates had added a ram and re-named her the "Virginia "! The following day the re-named "Merrimac” sallied forth from Norfolk to finish up the Federal Fleet- and met the "Monitor" and her finish instead! (kneeland) 1 Oh, shipmates, come gather and join in my ditty Of a terrible battle that’s happened of late Let each good Union tar shed a sad tear of pity As they think of the once gallant Cumberland’s fate The eighth day of March told a terrible story And many a brave tar to the world bid adieu But our Flag it was wrapped in a mantle of glory By the heroic deeds of the Cumberland's crew 2 On that ill-fated day about ten in the morning The sky it was cloudless and bright shone the sun When the drums of the Cumberland sounded a warning That told every seaman to stand by his gun An iron-clad frigate down on us came bearing And high in the air the base rebel flag flew The pennant of Treason she proudly was waving Determined to conquer the Cumberland's crew 3 Then up spoke our Captain with stern resolution Saying - Boys, by this monster now don't be dismayed We swore to maintain our beloved Constitution And to die for our Country we are not afraid We'll fight for the Union - Our cause it is glorious To the Stars and the Stripes we will ever stand true We’ll die at our quarters or conquer victorious He was answered with cheers by the Cumberland's crew 4 Then our ports we threw open and our guns we let thunder; Our broadsides like hail on the rebels did pour; The sailors gazed on filled with terror and wonder, For our shot struck her side and glanced harmlessly o'er. But the pride of our Navy could never be daunted, Though the dead and the dying our decks they did strew; The flag of our Union how proudly she flaunted, Sustained by the blood of the Cumberland crew. 5 They fought us three hours with stern resolution Till those rebels found cannon would never avail For the flag of secession had no power to gall us Though the blood from our scuppers it crimsoned the wave She struck us amidships - Our planks she did sever Her sharp iron prow pierced our noble ship through As slowly she sank on that dark, rolling river "We'll die at our guns!" cried the Cumberland's crew 6 Slowly they sank 'neath Virginia's waters Their voices on earth will ne'er be heard more They'll be wept by Columbia's brave sons and fair daughters May their blood be avenged on Virginia's shore In that battle-stained grave they are silently lying Their souls have forever to earth bid adieu But The Star Spangled Banner above them is flying It was nailed to the mast by the Cumberland's crew 7 Columbia's sweet birthright of Freedom's communion Thy Flag never floated so proudly before For the spirits of those who have died for our Union Above its broad folds now exultingly soar And when our sailors in battle assemble God bless our dear Banner, The Red, White and Blue Beneath its broad folds we'll cause tyrants to tremble Or we'll die at our guns - like the Cumberland's crew
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