Come all you bold sailors that follow the Lakes
On an iron ore vessel your living to make
I shipped in Chicago, bid adieu to the shore
Bound away to Escanaba for red iron ore
Derry down, down, down derry down

In the month of September, the seventeenth day
Two dollars and a quarter is all they would pay
And on Monday morning the Bridgeport did take
The E. C. Roberts out in the Lake
Derry down, down, down derry down

The wind from the southard sprang up a fresh breeze
And away through Lake Michigan the Roberts did sneeze
Down through Lake Michigan the Roberts did roar
And on Friday morning we passed through death's door
Derry down, down, down derry down

This packet she showled across the mouth of Green Bay
And before her cutwater she dashed the white spray
We rounded the snad point, and anchor let go
We furled in our canvas and the watch went below
Derry down, down, down derry down

Next morning we have alongside the Exile
And soon was made fast to an iron ore pile
They lowered their chutes and like thunder did roar
They spouted into us that red iron ore
Derry down, down, down derry down

Some sailors took shovels while others got spades
And some took wheelbarrows, each man to his trade
We looked like red devils, our fingers got sore
We cursed Escanaba and that damned iron ore
Derry down, down, down derry down

The tug Escanaba she towed out the Minch
The Roberts she thought she had left in a pinch
And as she passed by us she bid us good-bye
Saying, "We'll meet you in Cleveland next Fourth of July."
Derry down, down, down derry down

Through Louse Island it blew a fresh breeze
We made the Foxes, the Beavers, the Skillageles;
We flew by the Minch for to show her the way
And she ne'er hove in sight till we were off Thunder Bay
Derry down, down, down derry down

Across Saginaw Bay the Roberts did ride
With the dark and deep water rolling over her side
And now for Port Huron the Roberts must go
Where the tug Kate Williams she took us in tow
Derry down, down, down derry down

We went through North Passage---O Lord, how it blew!
And all 'round the Dummy a large fleet there came too
The night being dark, Old Nick it would scare
We hove up next morning and for Clevelend did steer
Derry down, down, down derry down

Now the Roberts is in Cleveland, made fast stem and stern
And over the bottle we'll spin a big yarn
But Captain Harvey Shannon had ought to stand treat
For getting into Cleveland ahead of the fleet
Derry down down, down derry down

Now my song it is ended, I hope you won't laugh
Our dunnage is packed and all hands are paid off
Here's a health to the Roberts, she's staunch, strong and true
Nor forgotten the bold boys that comprise her crew
Derry down, down, down derry down