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Ship that Never Returned 
Ship that Never Returned (Henry Clay Work) 
'Twas a summer's day and the waves were rippled By a soft and gentle breeze, When a ship set sail with a cargo ladened For a port beyond the sea. 
There were fond farewells, loving demonstrations By the ones who were most concerned. Though they little knew 'twas the fatal voyage Of the ship that never returned. 
Did she ever return? No, she never returned, And her fate is yet unlearned. Though for years and years there were fond hearts watching For the ship that never returned. 
Said the feeble lad to his anxious mother, "l must cross the deep blue sea, For they say, perchance, in some foreign climate There is help and strength for me." 
'Twas a gleam of hope in the midst of danger And her heart for her youngest yearned. But she sent him forth with a smile and a blessing On the ship that never returned. 
"Only one more trip," said a gallant seaman As he kissed his weeping wife. "Only one more bag of the gold and treasure And 'twill last us all through life. 
"Then we'll settle down in our cosy cottage And enjoy the rest we've earned." But alas, poor man, for he sailed commander Of the ship that never returned. 
Did she ever return? No, she never returned, And her fate is yet unlearned. Though for years and years there were fond hearts watching For the ship that never returned. 
From Folk Songs Out of Wisconsin, Peters Collected from Noble Brown, Millsville WI, 1946