Like I said before, this damn airship has followed me around most of my life and now over the years has become a passion.....actually rigid airships in general and the Shenandoah specifically. A few weeks ago I acquired yet another book and in the process found a picture of the ORIGINAL sheet music and a copy of the COMPLETE words to the song. Note the author which is not as we have it but is what the sheet music says along with the copyright year and the publisher.

I hadn't visited this thread in awhile so I will return in a few days and post some additional information to answer a few questions which have come up. Below are all 12 verses as written.....Spaw



THE WRECK OF THE SHENANDOAH
Words and Music by Maggie Andrews
Copyright 1925 by Shapiro Bernstein & Company, Inc.

At four o'clock one evening
On a warm September day
A great and mighty airship
From Lakehurst flew away.

The mighty Shenandoah
The pride of all this land,
Her crew was of the bravest,
Captain Lansdowne in command.

The giant motors thundered
She proudly sailed along
Each man was at his station
Each heart was true and strong

They started for St. Louis
As day turned into night
With not a thought of danger
On that sad and fatal flight


At four o'clock next morning
The earth was far below
When a storm in all its fury
Gave her a fatal blow.

For hours they bravely struggled
They worked with all their might
But the storm could not be conquered
And the ship gave up the fight

Her side was torn asunder
Her cabin was torn down
The captain and his brave men
Went crashing to the ground.

And fourteen lives were taken
But they've not died in vain
Their names will live forever
Within the hall of fame.

In the little town of Greenville
A mother's watchful eye
Was waiting for the airship,
To see her son go by.

But alas her boy lay sleeping;
His last great flight was o'er.
He's gone to meet his Maker;
His ship will fly no more.

A loving wwife and children
A mother's broken heart
They're mourning for their loved one
Since the storm tore them apart

But their faith will not be shaken
They'll see him bye and bye
They know he waits in heaven
Where the brave go when they die