In eighteen hundred and sixty one,
Roll Alabama, roll
The Alabama was begun
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

She was built in the town of Birkenhead
Roll Alabama, roll
Built in the yard of Jonathan Laird
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

Away down the Mersey she rolled one day
Roll Alabama, roll
And across the "Western" she ploughed her way
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

With British guns, oh, she was stocked
Roll Alabama, roll
She sailed from Fayal, in Cherbourg she docked
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

But off Cherbourg the Kearsarge lay tight
Roll Alabama, roll
Awaiting was Winslow to start a good fight
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

Outside the three mile limit they fought
Roll Alabama, roll
And Semmes escaped on a fine British yacht
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

A shell from her forward gun that day
Roll, Alabama, roll
Shot the Alabama’s stern away
Roll, Alabama, roll

The Kearsarge won - Alabama so brave
Roll Alabama, roll
Sank to the bottom of a watery grave
Oh, roll Alabama, roll

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