Lyrics

As the sun rose, and the day broke.
I heard a voice, calling out a name.
It was strong and clear, yet a whisper’s breath.
I can hear the voice, ringing in my ears.

It called for Philip Minch and for H.A. Barr.
For Jay Gould and Sarah E. Sheldon.
It called for Wilma, and for Alva B.,
For Colonel Cook and Paddy Murphy.
It called out, and then the voice faded away.

As the sun rose high, and the half day past.
I heard a voice, breathing out their names.
It was strong and clear, yet a whisper’s breath.
I can hear the voice, ringing in my ears.

It never rested, never took a breath.
It called for Myron and Fannie L. Jones.
A call for Penelope,
One for Cecile J.,
Another for old George Stone
The voice went on, the voice rang on,
all throughout the day.

As the sun set, and the day was done.
The voice then began to dim.
An understanding and it came to me,
Yes, I knew, I knew all the names.
This was the roll-call,
Yes, the roll-call of the wrecks of the Great Lakes.
This was the roll-call,
Yes, the roll-call of the wrecks of the Great Lakes.

As the sun rose, and a new day broke.
I heard a voice, calling out their names.
It said remember those who came before,
(a call for Edmund Fitzgerald; a call for the Lady Elgin; a call for Rouse Simmons)
And I vowed never to forget.
This is the roll-call, oh it’s the call,
For the wrecks of the Great Lakes.
This is the roll-call, yes, it’s the call,
For the wrecks of the Great Lakes.