Lyrics of Ballad of the thresher

Oh, the thresher, the finest atomic ship
That ever dived for the sea
Each man on board was a volunteer
Was there 'cause he chose there to be

Every man jack on board was a hero
Every man jack on board there was brave
Every man jack on board was a hero
Each man risked a watery grave

Oh, their wives and their sweethearts came down to port
Their last fond goodbyes there to say
Each tried her best to be tearless and brave
They promised to meet there some day

Every man jack on board was a hero
Every man jack on board there was brave
Every man jack on board was a hero
Each man risked a watery grave

Then "dive", said the captain and we held our breath
A sound like she'd broken in two
That was the last we ever heard of her
Last word we had of her crew

Every man jack on board was a hero
Every man jack on board there was brave
Every man jack on board was a hero
Each man risked a watery grave

Oh, the thresher, yes, now her reactor is still
But very good company she keeps
Men from the lexington, hornet and the wasp
Are down there with her in the deep

Every man jack on board was a hero
Every man jack on board there was brave
Every man jack on board was a hero
Each man risked a watery grave

Oh, the thresher