Oh the waters are a'risin'
The waters are a'risin'
The waters are a'risin'
The old ship's going down

Torpedo hit our number two
Hatch close to the engine room
I heard the bosun yelling
They'll shoot the second soon

Torpedo in the engine room
(Torpedo in the engine room)
Torpedo in the engine room
The old ship's going down

We run out to our lifeboats
Scared as mice beside our boats
In less than 10 minutes
Everyone was tellin' jokes

The waters are a'risin'
(The waters are a'risin')
The waters are a'risin'
The old ship's going down

I run back for your picture
And she was trembling still
When I got back they were shooting dice
For greenback dollar bills

She's a'rockin' and a'reelin'
(She's a'rockin' and a'reelin')
She's a'rockin' and a'reelin'
The old ship's going down

She's a'rocking and a'reelin'
(She's a'rockin' and a'reelin')
She's a'rockin' and a'reelin'
The old ship's going down

One boy passed his jug around
We couldn't strike no lights
But the liquor kept my belly warm
And fixed my business right

Oh, the waters are a'risin')
(The waters are a'risin')
The waters are a'risin'
The old ship's going down

The waters are a'risin'
(The waters are a'risin')
The waters are a'risin'
The old ship's going down

The waters are a'risin'
The old ship's going down