The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TITANIC

THEY BUILT THE SHIP TITANIC FOR TO SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE,
AND THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD A SHIP THAT THE OCEAN COULDN'T GET THROUGH
BUT THE GOOD LORD RAISED HIS HAND AND SAID THE SHIP WILL NEVER LAND.
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
...... CHORUS......
IT WAS SAD, SO SAD , IT WAS SAD.
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA...
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN. SECOND VERSE
THEY WERE NEARING CLOSE TO ENGLAND, THEY WERE NEARING CLOSE TO SHORE
WHEN THE RICH REFUSED TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE POOR.
SO THEY PUT THEM DOWN BELOW, WHERE THEY'D BE THE FIRST TO GO.
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
IT WAS SAD, SO SAD, IT WAS SAD. ..... CHORUS.....
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA...
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN. THIRD VERSE
THEY PUT THE LIFE BOATS OUT ON THE DARK AND STORMY SEA,
AND THE BAND STRUCK UP WITH "HOW NEAR MY GOD TO ME".
LITTLE CHILDREN WEPT AND CRIED AS THE WAVES SPLASHED OVER THE SIDES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
...... CHORUS......
IT WAS SAD, SO SAD , IT WAS SAD.
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA...
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN LAST VERSE
THE MORAL WE OBTAIN FROM THIS TALE OF WOE AND PAIN,
IS THAT IF YOU'RE RICH , BY ALL MEANS DON'T BE VAIN,
FOR IN THE GOOD LORD'S EYES, YOU'RE THE SAME AS OTHER GUYS.
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
IT WAS SAD, SO SAD, IT WAS SAD.
...... CHORUS......
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA...
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-00-1980