Cumberland's Crew

"Cumberland's Crew" tells the story of the USS Cumberland being rammed and sunk in an engagement with the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) at Newport News, Virginia on March 8, 1862, during the Battle of Hampton Roads in the American Civil War. The engagement between the two ships is considered to be a turning point in the history of world naval affairs as it showed the advantage of steam-powered, armored ships over sail-powered, wooden-hulled ships.
Printed versions of the song exist dating from 1865, but no author is known.
The band has performed the song publicly at least once, but it is not part of their current repertoire and is not available for request on livestreams.
==Lyrics==
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 they listen to the once-gallant Cumberland’s fate
'Twas the eighth day of March told a terrible story
When many brave heroes 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
Bidding each gallant seaman to stand by his gun
And an ironclad frigate down on us came bearing
Whilst high in the air the 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
Her broadsides like hail on the rebels did pour
But our sailors gazed on, filled with terror and wonder
As our shots struck her side and glanced harmlessly o’er
But the pride of our navy could never be daunted
Though the dead and the dying our decks they did strew
The flag of our union how proudly she flaunted
Sustained by the blood of the Cumberland’s crew
Three hours we fought them with stern resolution
'Til the rebels found cannon could never decide
The flag of secession had no power to gall them
Though the blood from their scuppers it crimson'd the tide
Then they struck us amidship, our planks they did sever
Her sharp iron prong pierced our noble ship through
And still though she splintered and listed hard over
"We'll die at our guns!" cried the Cumberland's crew
So slowly she sank 'neath Virginia's dark waters
And their voices on earth 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 their battle-stained graves they are silently lying
Their souls have forever to each bid adieu
But the star-spangled banner above them still flying
For it was nailed to the mast by the Cumberland's crew
==Recordings==
====Gig Videos====
*The Fleece, Bristol (17 Feb 2013)
====Full Band Streams====
*Christmas Party with The Longest Johns!!! (19 Dec 2018)
Category:Songs
Category:Traditional
Category:Dave Songs