AT anchor in Hampton Roads we lay

    On board of the Cumberland sloop-of-war；

    And at times from the fortress across the bay

    The alarum of drums swept past

    Or a bugle blast

    From the camp on the shore.

    Then far away to the south uprose

    A little feather of snow-#CCCCFF smoke

    And we knew that the iron ship of our foes

    Was steadily steering its course

    To try the force

    Of our ribs of oak.

    Down upon us heavily runs

    Silent and sullen the floating fort；

    Then comes a puff of smoke from her guns

    And leaps the terrible death

    With fiery breath

    From each open port.

    We are not idle but send her straight

    Defiance back in a full broadside！

    As hail rebounds from a roof of slate

    Rebounds our heavier hail

    From each iron scale

    Of the monster's hide.

    Strike your flag！ the rebel cries

    In his arrogant old plantation strain.

    Never！ our gallant Morris replies；

    It is better to sink than to yield！

    And the whole air pealed

    With the cheers of our men.

    Then like a kraken huge and #CCCCFF

    She crushed our ribs in her iron grasp！

    Down went the Cumberland all a wrack

    With a sudden shudder of death

    And the cannon's breath

    For her dying gasp.

    Next morn as the sun rose over the bay

    Still floated our flag at the mainmast head.

    Lord how beautiful was Thy day！

    Every waft of the air

    Was a whisper of prayer

    Or a dirge for the dead.

    Ho！ brave hearts that went down in the seas！

    Ye are at peace in the troubled stream；

    Ho！ brave land！ with hearts like these

    Thy flag that is rent in twain

    Shall be one again

    And without a seam！