Am
By the heroic deeds of the Cumberlands crew...

Am

        Em        Em        C          E7
On that ill-fated day about ten in the morning,
    C          G          Em               Am
The sky it was clear, and bright shone the sun;
    Em           Em         C         E7
The drums of the Cumberland sounded a warning,
        C            G         Em           Am
Bidding each gallant seaman to stand by his gun.
   Am        Dm           Am         Em
An iron-clad frigate down on us came bearing.
      Am          Dm    Am
While high in the air a rebel flag flew;
  Em         Em          Am          E7
A pennant of treason she proudly was waving.
  C           G           Em           Am
Determined to conquer the Cumberland's crew.

Irish Whistle Solo:
Em  Em  Am  E7
C  G   Em  Am
Em  G  Am  Em
C  G  Em  Am

       Em         Em        Am             E7
So our noble ship fired her guns' dreadful thunder.
    C                 G            Em         Am
Her broad-sides, like hail, on the Rebels did pour;
        Em            Em              Am         E7
But our sailors gazed on, filled with terror and wonder-
       C                G                 Em         Am
As the shots struck her sides and glanced harmlessly forth
        Am           Dm         Am       Em
But the pride of our navy could never be daunted,
         Am           Dm        Am
Tho' the dead and the dying her deck they did strew;
        Em          Em        Am          E7
And the flag of our Union how proudly she flaunted.
   C             G            Em           Am
Sustained by the blood of the Cumberland's crew.

Electric and Drum Solo:
Em  Em  Am  E7
C  G   Em  Am
Em  G  Am  E7
C  G  Em  Am
Am  Dm  Am  Em
Am  Dm  Am  MF
Em  Em  Am  E7
C  G  Em  Am

  Em       Em               Am        E7
3 hours we fought them with stern resolution,
         C            G            Em      Am
Till the rebels found cannon could never decide;
    Em          Em        Am          E7
The flag of secession had no power to gall them,
         C                G           Em            Am
Tho' the blood from their scuppers it crimson'd the tide,

As they struck us on mid-ship, our planks she did sever,
                                            Em
Her sharp iron prong pierced our noble ship through:
    Em                Em             Am           E7
And still, though she splintered and twisted hard over,
      C          G               Em           Am
We'll die at our guns! cried the Cumberland's crew.

Em  Em  Am  E7
C  G   Em  Am
Em  G  Am  E7
C  G  Em  Am
Am  Dm  Am  Em
Am  Dm  Am  Em
Em  Em  Am  E7
C  G  Em  Am

Softly...
Am

   Em          Em             C            E7
So slowly they sank 'Neath Virginia's dark waters,
      C         G           Em            Am
Their voices on earth will ne'er be heard more
           Em            Em            C             E7
They'll be mourned by Columbia's brave sons and fair daughters!
          C           G       Em         Am
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 is still flying;
                                                  Am
For it was nailed to the mast by the Cumberland's crew.