One ship drives east and one ship drives west
By the self-same wind that blows;
Yet the set of the sails and not the gale
The set of the sails and not the gale
Determines the way-i-aye-i-aye
That determines the way she goes...
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.
2The time of her sailing 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.
3Now the Dreadnaught's a-howling down the wild lrish Sea,
Her passengers merry and with their hearts full of glee.
Her 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.
4Now 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.
5And now we're arriving in old New York town.
We're bound for the Bowery to let sorrows drown.
With our beer and strong liquor, we'll let the songs flowAnd drink to the Dreadnaught where'er she may go!
Derry down, down..., down derry down.
down..., down derry down.
6Here's a health to the Dreadnaught and 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.
7Now me story is ended, me tale it is told
Forgive me old shipmates if you think that I'm bold
For this song was composed while the watch was below
Bound away to the westward in the Dreadnaught we'll go
Derry down, down..., down derry down.

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