THE THRESHER
As sung by Pete Seeger on "Broadside Ballads, Vol. 2" (1963; reissued 2004)

1. 'Twas on a bright and sunny day not too long ago.
The wind blew strong; the sea broke white, but all was still below.
The submarine called Thresher was on a deep-sea dive.
She dove below her safety range and crushed her crew alive.

CHORUS: The Thresher was a nuclear sub with modern guns* and gear,
But none of her designers could make her reappear.

2. The fastest deepest submarine caught beneath the brine,
Caught were all her sailors, a hundred-twenty-nine.
Among them were two brothers; Shafer was their name.
Their mother kept a midnight watch but prayers were all in vain. CHORUS

3. But if it's best and biggest too, and if it's made for war,
Just like the ship called Thresher, we'll make a million more,
But hope this loss will bring to pass a day we'll live to see
When ships are all designed to sail together peacefully. CHORUS

[Repeat verse 1 & chorus.]


[* Did the Thresher really have guns?]