A Storm's Toll
By: Wayne Brown
It’s a cold, watery grave where they all lie
Lost in the storm and destined to die
Vanished in moments off the face of the World
God bless the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald
An iron boat she was with a 26 ton payload
A crew of 29 manned the ship and what’s stowed
The captain had 40 seasons upon this water world
A fine crew and a ship, the Edmund Fitzgerald
Sailing from Wisconsin on a November afternoon
None among the crew could foresee their doom
An early winter storm is headed for their world
To chew up this crew and the Edmund Fitzgerald
Sixty knot howling winds shoved at her sides
Thirty-foot crested waves would rise and collide
Blowing snow and freezing rain on windy swirl
Onward pushed the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Rocking and rolling over waves with a toss and twist
She’s taking on water and to the port she will list
The storm is increasing and the waves start to curl
Striking fear in the hearts on the Edmund Fitzgerald
A brave Captain and crew were holding their own
Now without radar and navigating blindly along
Fifteen miles from the closest land in this world
No longer a word from the Edmund Fitzgerald
A great gust of wind sending a giant crashing wave
She breaks up and sinks, there’s nothing to save
Disappearing in seconds ‘neath the water’s curl
Lost to eternity aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald
Now she lays in silence on the bottom 530 feet down
Broken in half with the iron ore scattered all around
A cold and dark grave in a silent eternal world
The final rest for the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Those who wait patiently at port for ships to come in
Never say goodbye to those never seen again
They mark time and pray over a dark water world
Missing their love ones of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Never rest ye fine mariners who man these iron boats
The lakes will swallow you and all that does not float
It can happen in seconds in a storm’s mighty swirl
And you too can join those on the Edmund Fitzgerald
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