The Flying Dutchman Songtext
von Dean Gitter

'Twas on a dark and cheerless night to the southern of the Cape
When from a strong nor'wester we had just made our escape
Like an infant in its cradle, all hands lay fast asleep
And peacefully we sailed along the bosom of the deep
And peacefully we sailed along the bosom of the deep

At last the helmsman gave a shout of terror and of fear
As if he had just gazed upon some sudden danger near
The sea around was cloud and foam, and just upon our lee
We saw the Flying Dutchman come a-bounding o'er the sea
We saw the Flying Dutchman come a-bounding o'er the sea

Take in our lofty canvas, lads, the watchful master cried
For in our ship's company, some sudden danger bides
Our every man who rounds the Cape, although he shows no fear
He knows that there is danger when Vanderdecken's near
He knows that there is danger when Vanderdecken's near


Here comes the Flying Dutchman, like an eagle o'er the sea
Proceeded by the tempest star, he makes for Table Bay
With bird-like speed, he's borne before the wind and howling blast
But ne'er can he cast anchor there; the Bay, alas, has passed
But ne'er can he cast anchor there; the Bay, alas, has passed

Pity poor Vanderdecken, for fearful is his doom
The seas around that stormy Cape will be his living tomb
Is doomed to ride that ocean forever, and a day
He tries in vain his oath to keep by entering Table Bay
He tries in vain his oath to keep by entering Table Bay

All hands to rail, our gallant crew, as the ghost ship bores the sea
Our hearts were filled with thought
And fear, as she passes along our lee
Our watchman was likewise entranced, as all hands sighed relief
With mighty crash and wrecking force, our vessel struck a reef
With mighty crash and wrecking force, our vessel struck a reef