Me thinks I see a host of craft
Spreading their sails alee
As down the Humber they do steere
All bound for the great North Sea
Me thinks I see a wee small craft
And crew with hearts so brave
They go to earn their daily bread
Upon the restless waves

Refrein:
And it’s three score and ten
Boys and men were lost from Grimsby town
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough
Many hundreds more were drowned
Their herring craft, their trawlers
Their fishing smacks, as well
Alone they fight that bitter night
And battle with the swell

Me thinks I see them yet again
As they leave this land behind
Casting their nets into the sea
The herring shoals to find
Me thinks I see them yet again
And all board ‘s all right
With the sails close-reefed and the decks all cleaned
And the side lights burning bright

Refrein:

Me thinks I’ve heard the skipper say
“Now lads we’ll shorten sail”
For the sky to all appearances
Looks like an approaching gale
Me thinks I see them yet again
After midnight hour is past
Their tiny craft were battling still Against the the icy blast

Refrein:

October’s night brought such a sight
‘T was never seen before
There were masts and yards and broken spars
Washed up upon the shore
There was many a heart of sorrow
There was many a heart so brave
There were many true and nobel lad
That met a watery grave