Roll Alabama Roll

One of my favorite Civil War songs details the sinking of the Rebel Scum / Privateer, CSS Alabama by the USS Kearsarge on this date in 1864. The Alabama was sunk of the coast of Cherbourg and the survivors were rescued by British ships, an act in violation of Maritime Law, and quite possibly a deliberate act of war by the Limey Bastards. Of course the British built and equipped the raider in violation of their neutrality. Here are the lyrics:

1. In eighteen-hundred and sixty-one, Roll, Alabama, roll!
This ship's building was begun, Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

2. When the Alabama's keel was laid, Roll, Alabama, roll!
It was laid in the yard of Jonathan Laird. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

3. It was laid in the yard of Jonathan Laird; Roll, Alabama, roll!
It was laid in the town of Birkenhead. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

4. At first she was called "the Two-Ninety-Two, "Roll, Alabama, roll!
For the merchants of the city of Liverpool Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

5. Put up the money to build the ship Roll, Alabama, roll!
In hopes of driving commerce from the sea. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

6. Down the Mersey ways she rolled then; Roll, Alabama, roll!
Liverpool fitted her with guns and men. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

7. Down the Mersey she rolled one day, Roll, Alabama, roll!
And across the Western she plowed her way. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

8. From the Western Isles she sailed forth, Roll, Alabama, roll!
To destroy the commerce of the North. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

9. To fight the North Semmes did employ Roll, Alabama, roll!
Ev'ry method to kill and destroy. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

10. The Alabama sailed for two whole years, Roll, Alabama, roll!
Took sixty-five ships in her career. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

11. With British guns, oh, she was stocked; Roll, Alabama, roll!
She sailed from Fayal; in Cherbourg she docked. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

12. To Cherbourg port she sailed one day Roll, Alabama, roll!
To take her count of prize money. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

13. But off Cherbourg the Kearsarge lay tight, Roll, Alabama, roll!
With Cap'n Winslow spoilin' for a fight. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

14. The Kearsarge with Winslow was waiting there, Roll, Alabama, roll!
And Semmes challenged them to fight at sea. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

15. Many a sailor lad foresaw his doom, Roll, Alabama, roll!
When the Kearsarge, it hove in view. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

16. 'Twas a ball from the forward pivot that day, Roll, Alabama, roll!
Shot the Alabama's steerin' gear away. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

17. 'Twas outside the three-mile limit they fought, Roll, Alabama, roll!
And Semmes escaped on a fine British yacht. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

8. On June nineteenth, eighteen sixty-four, Roll, Alabama, roll!
They sent the Alabama to the cold ocean floor. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

19. The Kearsarge won; the Alabama so brave Roll, Alabama, roll!
Sank to the bottom, to a watery grave. Oh, roll, Alabama, roll!

The tune I like best is a little faster and different than that presented on that site.