When last I saw John Williams
a young man full of pride
His happy bride of just four days
Stood shining by his side
Being laughed and slapped upon the back
Saying boyoh cant you see
I've seen the last of windswept bogs
And bogs the last of me.
And the Peelers and the Land Lords
and the risings of the moon
and if ever I return again
T'will be too bloody soon.
Rich man poor man beggar man white
Sailed away into the night
Where they'll end up no one knows
Round and round the story goes.
He said my friends I'll take my chance
In far off New York's town
They say there's lots of work there
And a good man won't stay down
For with my lassie by my side
We'll build a better home
And when the sea trips over land
We never more will roam.
So we said farewell upon the quay
There was nothing more to do
But to pray for John and his lovely Bride
That his dreams might all come true
Oh I envied you John Williams
And your lovely fair haired bride
To be sailing on the mighty ship
Across the ocean wide.
For she's the finest Liner
that was ever built by man
And they say there's naught can sink her
Not even God's own hand.
Man's pride can be his own downfall
That great ship sailed from home
I though I heard the Banshee cry
That chilled me to the bone.
Rich man, poor man beggar man white
Sailed away into the night
Where they'll end up no-one knows
Round and round the ice they flow.