THE ISLAND UNKNOWN
(Eck Robertson)

1. Come all you kind friends, both fair, young and old
A story I'll tell, of a poor rambling soul
He left his dear parents and strayed off from home
He's lost, I've been told, on the Island Unknown

2. My history of life has never been read
A reckless hard-hearted life I have led
A reckless hard-hearted life I have left
Till the hour of death came to me [as it will]

3. It was early one morning, in the fair month of May
Unto my dear parents these words I did say
Oh father and mother, please weep not for me
I've joined the Jolly Band to go 'cross the wide sea

4. My captain and comrades are all dressed in Blue
Tomorrow we'll start with the Red, White and Blue
Tomorrow our vessel it now lies at shore
We'll start at sunrise and lay anchor no more

5. I left my dear parents to weep and to mourn
My friends and relations, my own native home
I left my true love with a sad broken heart
The time has now come for us to all part

6. It was late in the evening on a clear purling stream
I left my true love in sorrow and pain
I left my true love to weep and to sigh
I hope we'll all meet in the Sweet By and By

7. Three weeks had just passed since I left her on shore
The night was so dark as the high waves splashed o'er
The lightning was flashing from the east to the west
I thought of my friends back home at their rest

8. I thought of that night, on the clear purling stream
The girl I had left in sorrow and pain
The girl I had left with a sad broken heart
The time has now come for us to all part

9. A dark cloud had rolled, and the storm winds were high
And lightning flashed through the dark clouded sky
The ship was all wrecked and scattered in fright
No-one will ever know what happened that night

10. I clung to a skiff and floated ashore
I found that no other had ever been there before
I found that my country was five miles by three
I found that no other had ever been there but me

11. One evening I rambled through the Island Unknown
I thought of my friends and relations at home
I thought of the girl I'd left far behind
I thought that my body some day they might find

12. I came to a place out on the sea sand
In a book from my pocket, with pencil in hand
I wrote of my life and the country back home
I wrote a true history of the Island Unknown

13. Upon some green grass there among some wild flowers
I studied my troubles [all o'er there] for hours
I thought of my parents I'd left all alone
I thought that their prayers might bring me back home

14. Farewell to the Stars and Stripes up on high
The Death Hour has come, it's true I must die
Down by a primrose I make my death bed
The one that composed this song is now dead

15. Farewell to America, I bid you adieu
Likewise to the Flag, the Red, White and Blue
Farewell to my friends and loved ones at home
Farewell is my Prayer to the Island Unknown.

This is a transcription from listening to the recording: Victor V-40166; Oct 1929 Dallas, Texas.
I have been unable to find any written source for these lyrics and although it seems likely, can't verify whether Eck Robertson composed it or not.
The few phrases that I couldn't quite make out are in square brackets.
-MW