On a Summer day when the waves were rippled by a s o f t and gentle breeze,

voiceCollected by Merlin Mitchell Reel 33 Transcribed by Kyle Perrin Item 4 High, Ark. April 15, 1950 The Ship That Never Returned On a Summer day when the waves were rippled by a s o f t and gentle breeze, A ship set s a i l for a f a r off landing for they fought beyond the seas; There were sad farewells and loving smiles but their hearts was yet discerned, For they knew i t not as a solemn parting f o r the good ship never returned. No, she never returned, no, she never returned, and her f a t e l i e s yet unlearned, For years and years there were fond hearts waiting for the ship that never returned. Said a feeble lad to his anxious mother when they crossed the deep blue sea, For the s a f e r chance in a foreign climate where is health and strength for me, So, she sent him f o r t h with a kiss and blessing on the ship that never returned. J u s t one more t r i p said the (gayland) seaman as he kissed his weeping wife, J u s t one more bag of a golden treasure and we will s e t t l e down for l i f e; We'll s e t t l e down in a cozy cottage and enjoy the r i s k we've earned, But, alas, poor man, he sailed commanding on the ship that never returned. No, she never returned, no, she never returned, and her f a t e l i e s yet unlearned, For years and years there were fond hearts waiting f o r the ship that never returned.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation