Did she ever return? no, she never returned,

voiceCollected by James Ward Lee Sung by Albert Harrison Hindsville, Arkansas Bohannon Community August 7, 1958 and Ralph E. Roberts for Mary Celestia Parler Transcribed by Frances Majors Reel Item 8 The Ship That Never Returned. One summer's day when the leaves were ruffled By the soft and sweetest breeze, Did a ship set sail with her cargo laden For a port beyond the sea. There were sweet farewells, there were loving signals While a . . . Though they knew it not, ' twas a solemn parting, For the ship that never returned. Did she ever return? no, she never returned, And her fate is yet unlearned; But for years, long years, there's been fond ones watching For the ship that never returned. Said a faithful lad to his anxious mother, "I must cross the wide, wide sea; 'Twas a sacred chance in some foreign climate There'll be health and strength for me." For a ray of hope and of mid-way danger, And her heart for her youngest yearned, Yet she sent him forth with a smile and blessing, On the ship that never returned. (Chorus) "Only one more trip," said the gallant sailor, As he kissed his weeping wife, "Only one more bag of the golden treasure, It will last us all through life." "Then I'll spend my days in the cosy cottage, And its joys will rest or fly." But, alas, the man, he sailed commander On the ship that never returned. Chorus: (Chorus)Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation