The Ship that Never Returned

On a summer's day while the waves were rippling
With a quiet and a gentle breeze;
A ship set sail with a cargo laden
For a port beyond the sea

Did she ever return?
No, she never returned, and her fate is still unlearned
But a last poor man set sail commander
On a ship that never returned

There were sad farewells
There were friends forsaken, and her fate is still unlearned
But a last poor man set sail commander
On a ship that never returned

Said a feeble lad to his aged mother
I must cross that deep blue sea
For I hear of a land in the far-off country
Where there's health and strength for me

'Tis a gleam of hope and a maze of danger
And our fate is still to learn
And a last poor man set sail commander
On a ship that never returned

Did she ever return?
No, she never returned, and her fate is still unlearned
But a last poor man set sail commander
On a ship that never returned

Said this feeble lad to his aged mother
As he kissed his weeping wife
"Just one more purse of that golden treasure
It will last us all through life"

"Then we'll live in peace and joy together
And enjoy all I have earned."
So they sent him forth with a smile and blessing
On a ship that never returned

Did she ever return?
No, she never returned, and her fate is still unlearned
But a last poor man set sail commander
On a ship that never returned