The Dreadnaught

There is a flash packet and a packet of fame
She hails from New York and the Dreadnaught’s her name
She’s bound to the west where the wide waters flow!
Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we go
Derry down, down, down derry down.

The time of her sailing is now drawing nigh
Farewell pretty maids, we must bid you goodbye
A pair of clean heels now to you we will show
Bound away in the Dreadnaught to the westward we go

Now the Dreadnaught is lying in the river Mercy
Awaiting the tugboat to tow her to sea
For to round the rock light where the salt tides do flow
Bound away in the Dreadnaught to the westward we go

Now the Dreadnaught’s a-bowlin down the wild Irish Sea
Her passengers merry; their hearts full of glee
Her sailors like tigers walk the decks to and fro
Bound away in the Dreadnaught to the westward we go

Now the Dreadnaught’s a-sailing the Atlantic so wide
While the dark, heavy seas roll along her black sides,
With her tops’ls set taut for the red cross to show
Bound away in the Dreadnaught to the westward we go

Now the Dreadnaught’s arriving in old New York town
We’re bound for the bow’ry and let sorrow drown
With our gals and our beer, boys we’ll let the song flow!
She’s a saucy flash packet; oh lord let her go!

Here’s a health to the Dreadnaught and all her brave crew
To bold Captain Samuels and his officers too
You may talk of your fliers Swallowtail and Black Ball
But the Dreadnaught’s the packet that outsails them all!