Loss of the Cambria

transcribed at

The Loss of the Cambria  [duchas:4422034]

You Irishmen both one and all wherever you may be
Come raise you voice in sorrow now and mourn along with me.
For the loss of the good ship Cambria
That sunk to raise no more
With one hundred and seventy nine on board
Bound for the Shamrock shore.

On the ninth day of October last
From New York we set sail on board the gallant Cambria
With a sweet and a pleasant gale
Each heart seemed glad no one seemed sad
As our vessel out the foam to embrace our friends and parents dear
On Eireann's lovely home.

Ten days and night we ploughed the seas
No danger did me fear when to our native Irish coast

The Loss of the Cambria  [duchas:4422035]

In sight it did appear each man and boy did loudly cry
On toil and trouble over and we will shortly meet our loving friends on the sweet Shamrock Shore.

Then down below each one did go to wait for morning clear.
When a dreadful shock against a rock that filled our hearts with fear.
The passengers all rushed on deck while the stormy seas did roar.
The womens cries did reach the skies as they sank to rise no more.

Fore and aft the sea men rushed while fierce did roar the tide
And instantly four boats were hoised and launched across her side.
With both men and women they were filled with sorrow we deplore
But only one survivor ever reached the Shamrock Shore.

When on the crowded deck we stood 
Each mother clasped her child.

The Loss of the Cambria  [duchas:4422036]

And sighed, and prayed, and looked for aid perced roared the tempest wild.
Our ships jibboom in the engine room they were all rent and tore
And many a gallant Irish man has sunk to rise no more.

The Revd To Burns on the deck he knelt and prayed.
To God who rules both sea and land our precious lives to save
He and his faithful followers are sank beneath the waves
What grief and sorrow prevail
When the news spread far and wide
The gallant Cambria of New York has sank beneath the tide.

Many a widow and her child and mother will deplore and father weep and sister mourn for the friends they will never see more.
Armagh, Tyrone and Derry, and the Co. Donegal, Cavan Leitrim doth

The Loss of the Cambria  [duchas:4422037]

lament their loss both one and all.
Sligo, Mayo, in grief and woe while Galway does deplore at the loss of the good ship Cambria that sank to rise no more.

Now to conclude and finish I mean to stop my pen
There is one request I humbly crave of every faithful friend
To offer up their prayers to God both morning, noon and day
And hopes their souls in Heaven will shine upon the Judgment Day.

End