She was there at the dock
When the lines cast off
And the Fitz got underway
The sun shone down
As the wake trailed out
On that cold November day
When she wrapped her cloak
Over ship and crew
When the winds began to roar
Every man aboard
Tightened down their souls
Far from the Michigan shore
McSorley true, telephoned the crew
When the storm was setting in
"Better hold on tight
Through this day and night
Of straight-lined killer winds
44 years I have met these storms
When nor'easter gales have blown
But oh, these mountains on Superior
Are the worst I've ever known"
Who hears a prayer
When the wind strikes down
And the seas boil into foam?
When the waves cap off
And are blown away
And you're miles away from home
Who hears a cry when the north wind roars
And the crew are pitched to the rails?
As the great ship rolls, and the church bell tolls
For those lost in the gale
When he first saw her
We'll never know
On the deck a-washed
Or the bridge?
He must have known
When the Fitz would drown
And the bow began to pitch
When she came for the crew
And McSorley too
As the Fitz rose up no more
"Oh, Lady of the storms
You won this year
But I bested you for 44!"
