Песня о бое фрегата северян USS Cumberland с броненосцем южан CSS Virginia 8 марта 1862 г.
Oh, shipmates, come rally, and join in my ditty Of a terrible battle that happened of late. Let each good Union tar shed a tear of sad pity As he lists to the once gallant Cumberland's fate; On the eighth day of March told this terrible story, And many a tar to this world bid adieu. But our flag it was wrapped in a mantle of glory By the heroic deeds of the Cumberland's crew.
On that ill fated day about ten in the morning, The sky, it was clear and bright shone the sun; The drums of the Cumberland sounded a warning Telling each gallant seaman to stand by his gun; An ironclad frigate down on us came bearing, While high in the air her rebel flag flew. A pennant of treason she proudly was waving, Determined to conquer the Cumberland's crew.
So our noble ship fired her guns' dreadful thunder; Our broadsides like hail on the rebels did pour, But our sailors gazed on, filled with terror and wonder, As the shot struck her sides and glanced harmlessly o'er. But the pride of our Navy could never be daunted, Though the dead and the dying the deck they did strew. The Flag of a Union, how proudly she flaunted, Sustained by the blood of the Cumberland’s crew!
Three hours we fought them with stern resolution, Till the rebels found cannon could never decide; The flag of Secession had no power to gall them, Though the blood from our scuppers did crimson the tide. Then she struck us amid-ships, our planks she did sever. Her sharp iron prong pierced our noble ship through; And still, though she splinted and listed all over, “We’ll die at our guns!” cried the Cumberland’s crew.
So slowly they sank ’neath Virginia’s dark waters; Their voices on Earth they will ne’er be heard more. They'll be mourned by Columbia's brave sons and fair daughters, May their blood be avenged on Virginia's shore. In that battle-stained grave they are silently lying, Their souls have forever to earth bid adieu; But the Star-spangled Banner above them still flying - It was nailed to the mast by the Cumberland's crew!