[ Featuring Ward ]
Off Donegal in 42 we sailed to meet the Queen
And offer up safe passage round Ireland's icy seas
With a fresh wind we made headway for Gourock on the Clyde
Oh sweet Mary sail on by
Mary, pride of Cunard, the fastest of her day
She sailed from New York harbour, a titan of the waves
Ten thousand troops below her decks, so she had to make good time
Oh sweet Mary sail on by
Sail on by, sail on by
In the cold Atlantic waters three hundred men would die
Sail on by, sail on by
Don't turn around just sail on by
The Curacoa as escort stood off the starboard beam
A veteran navy cruiser, sent to serve the Queen
Till a tragic turn across our wake as she passed from side to side
Oh sweet Mary sail on by
The Mary struck amidships, crushed all 'neath her bows
Our stern rolled over on its back and with all hands went down
Others leapt into the water but few men would survive
Oh sweet Mary sail on by
Sail on by, sail on by
In the cold Atlantic waters three hundred men would die
Sail on by, sail on by
Don't turn around just sail on by
Men cried out in the icy sea as they floundered in her wake
But Mary steamed on full ahead and left them to their fate
No time to stop nor come about and risk ten thousand lives
So sweet Mary sailed on by
Sail on by, sail on by
In the cold Atlantic waters three hundred men would die
Sail on by, sail on by
Don't turn around just sail on by
Sail on by, sail on by
In the cold Atlantic waters three hundred men would die
Sail on by, sail on by
Don't turn around just sail on by
