Ida Lewis by Barry Finn
Tune: Turkey Rhubarb, Traditional

Ida Lewis left Newport at the age of fifteen.
Moved onto Lime Light Rock in the 1850's.
Her father was a captain, now keeper of the light,
Soon the duties fell on Ida to keep the lamps burning bright.

Her sisters and brother, she'd row to school every day,
In a small open lifeboat across the rough bay.
From his wheelchair her father would watch though the storms,
In horror as Ida would row the children back home.

Renowned for her skills, no matter the weather.
At swimming or rowing no man was her better.
At the age of sixteen, she had saved four men's lives,
By the time she retired she had saved twenty five.

Now there are saints on the water, and demons in the sea,
One and all they praise Ida for her great bravery.
On the very night this woman died, who'd lived on the shoals,
Every bell on every boat in Newport did toll.

Now they've renamed that rock, the Ida Lewis Rock Light. 
And in her honor today, the light is still burning bright.
But sometimes at night when it's rough and it's cold,
Some claim to see Ida pulling boys from the foam.

Copyright Barry Finn 1997