MI - Michigan

Red Iron Ore - Vivian Richman

Derry down, down, down, Derry down

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
Found a way 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 way out in the lake
Derry down, down, down, Derry down

Next morning we hove 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
Some took wheelbarrows, each man to his trade
We looked like red devils, our fingers got sore
We hated Escanaba and that blamed 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 when she passed how she bid us goodbye
Saying "We'll meet you in Cleveland next Fourth of July"
Derry down, down, down, Derry down

Across Saginaw Bay the Roberts did ride
With the dark and deep water rolling over her side
Now for Port Huron the Roberts must go
Where the tug Katy Williams she took us in tow
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 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
Not forgotten the bold boys that comprise her crew
Derry down, down, down, Derry down