One ship drives east and one ship drives west
By the self-same wind that blows
Yet the set of the sail and not the gale
The set of the sail and not the gale
Determines the way-i-aye-i-aye
That determines the way she goes
♪
Oh there is a flash packet, flash packet of fame
She hails from New York and the Dreadnaught's her name
She's bound to the westward where the wide waters flow
Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go!
Derry down, down..., down derry down
♪
Oh, the time of our leaving is now drawing nigh
Farewell pretty maids, we must bid ye goodbye
Farewell to old England and all we hold dear
Bound away in the Dreadnaught, to the westward we'll steer
Derry down, down..., down derry down
♪
Now the Dreadnaught's a-howling, down the wild Irish Sea
Her passengers all merry and their hearts full of glee
While the sailors like tigers walk the decks to and fro
Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go
Derry down, down..., down derry down
♪
Now the Dreadnaught is sailing the Atlantic so wide
Where the high roaring seas roll along her black side
With her topsails set taut for the Red Cross to show
She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go!
Derry down, down..., down derry down
Down..., down derry down
♪
And now we're arriving in old New York town
We are bound for the Bowery to let sorrows drown
With our beer and strong liquor, we'll let the songs flow
And we will drink to the Dreadnaught wherever she may go!
Derry down, down..., down derry down
Down..., down derry down
♪
Here's a health to the Dreadnaught and to all her brave crew
To bold Captain Samuels and his officers too
You may talk of your packets, Swallowtail and Black Ball
But the Dreadnaught's the flyer that outsails them all!
Derry down, down..., down derry down
Down..., down derry down
♪
Now the story has ended, and the tale it is told
I hope me dear shipmates that you don't think me bold
But this song was composed while the watch was below
Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go
Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go
Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go
Derry down, down..., down derry down