William And Versey Smith :: ‘When That Great Ship Went Down’ (1927, also known as The Titanic)

As you’re probably aware, the Titanic (not just a movie!) sunk 100 years ago today, instantly seizing the collective imagination and becoming the stuff of folklore. This evangelical husband and wife duo, singing 15 years after the fact, ask “Wasn’t it sad?” (And yet, is it just me or do these two sound like they’re gloating a bit?)

On a Monday morning, just about nine o’clock.
Great Titanic began to reel and rock;
Children weepin’ and cry,
“Yes, I’m going to die!” 

Wasn’t it sad when that great ship went down?
Sad when that great ship went down.
Sad when that great ship went down.
Husbands and wives. Children lost their lives.
Wasn’t it sad when that great ship went down?

When that ship left England, making for the shore,
The rich had declared that they would not ride with the poor.
Put the poor below,
Where first they had to go.

Wasn’t it sad when that great ship went down?
Sad when that great ship went down.
Sad when that great ship went down.
Husbands and wives. Children lost their lives.
Wasn’t it sad when that great ship went down?

When that ship left England, making for the shore,
The rich had declared that they would not ride with the poor.
Put the poor below,
Where first he had to go.

Wasn’t it sad when that great ship went down?
Sad when that great ship went down.
Sad when that great ship went down.
Husbands and wives. Children lost their lives.
Wasn’t it sad when that great ship went down?

People on that ship, long ways from home.
Friends all around, didn’t know the time had come.
Death come riding by,
Sixteen hundred had to die.

Wasn’t it sad when that great ship went down?
Sad when that great ship went down.
Sad when that great ship went down.
Husbands and wives. Children lost their lives.
Wasn’t it sad when that great ship went down?

People on that ship, long ways from home.
Friends all around, didn’t know the time had come.
Death come riding by,
Sixteen hundred had to die.

Wasn’t it sad when that great ship went down?
Sad when that great ship went down.
Sad when that great ship went down.
Husbands and wives. Children lost their lives.
Wasn’t it sad when that great ship went down?

While they was building, said what they would do.
Now they would build a ship that water can’t come through.
(Unintelligible)
Wasn’t it sad when that great ship when down?