The Old Virginia Lowlands, Low

Ye Tars of Columbia, and listen to my song;
It's of a Union battery, I won't detain you long:
She was built by Erricson, a famous man is he,
And she has proved to southern traitors, she's the terror of the sea,

In the old Virginia lowlands, low;
In the old Virginia lowlands, low.

It was on the eighth of March, me boys, remember the day,
The Rebel steamer Merrimac from Norfolk came straight-way
To burn and sink our Union ships at New-Port-News they lay
And strike the hearts of Union men, with terror and dismay.

She first assail'd the Cumberland, whose guns did not avail,
Against her iron plated hull, a rain of iron hailed;
She struck her about amidships, and parted her in two,
And to the bottom went many of this Frigate's gallant crew.

In the old Virginia lowlands, low;
In the old Virginia lowlands, low.

She next attacked the Congress, a cowardly trick you'll say,
Who poured at her both shot and shell, while she at anchor laid:
Her guns they being disabled, her men were scanty few,
And prisoners they were taking both officers and crew.

She then steam down to Hampton-Roads for to destroy our fleet;
But on the road the Monitor she happened for to meet,
Who poured at her a quilling fire which made them wink their eyes,
And from the Rebel monster, the splinters they did fly.

In the old Virginia lowlands, low;
In the old Virginia lowlands, low.

This little Union battery fought her for five long hours or more,
Until the Rebel monster, retreated for the shore:
She was towed up into Norfolk in a sinking state, they say:
Which proves to Southern traitors, that the Yankees gained the day.

The Connecticut came to anchor on the third suceeding day,
And for the Rebel monster at our quarters we did lay,
Until the close of evening, and they did not appear;
And then all hands up anchor, boys, and for the Blockade steered.

In the old Virginia lowlands, low;
In the old Virginia lowlands, low.

Oh! here success to Erricson, a Union man is he,
And for his little Monitor she's the champion of the sea;
And for all of her blue Jackets, where ver they may be,
And death to Southern traitors, by either land or sea.

In the old Virginia lowlands, low;
In the old Virginia lowlands, low.