The Dandenong

Lyrics

Wild and furious blew the blast And the sky with anger frowned When the Dandenong from Melbourne sailed To Newcastle port was bound She had eighty-three poor souls on board Through the storm she cleaved her way And it's sad to relate the terrible fate 'Twas just off Jervis Bay And I long for you, I long for sleep I dream of being warm But through the night I have to sail To brave this raging storm While steaming through those angry seas Her propelling shaft gave way And the waters they came rushing in Which filled them with dismay All hands on board did all they could Till at length all hope was gone And they hoisted a signal of distress On board of the Dandenong It was not long until a barque With a brisk and a lively crew Came bearing down and the Captain cried "We'll see what we can do!" Came bearing down with might and main In spite of wind and wave They did all they could as sailors would Those precious lives to save And I long for you, I long for sleep I dream of being warm I pray the sea will let me be To brave another dawn Well some in boats they tried to reach That kind and friendly barque And numbers of their lives were saved But the night came on pitch dark What more could mortal man do then When the storm increased so strong And the rest now sleep in the briny deep Along with the Dandenong And I long for you, I long for sleep I dream of coming home Tonight the sea it buries me Beneath this raging foam