1. The wind sang high on our rocky coast
To the dance of the restless tide
When a vessel strayed on her inward way
No pilot hand to guide
But from the shore on her stormy track
Soon kindly eyes were bent
And fortwith to the stranger’s aid
Five dauntless pilots went.

2. There was one who had thrown his spade away
As he ran to the water’s side
And another but three short months before
Had welcomed a youthful bride
But the spade may lie on the garden ridge
And the young wife wait in vain.
For my God’s decree from that chilly sea
They will never come back again.

3. No wistful farewells those doomed men made
As they pushed from their native shore
They were summoned away from their bright firesides
Full many a time before
That watery track they had travelled oft
And the waves like old friends now
And well they knew that staunch canoe
As they leaped round her gallant prow.

4. They are gone and away – away to death
They pull with a hearty will
While the watchers move – a steady group –
To the top of Dun Daillinn hill
And they see as the pilots near the ship
That she gives one fatal roll
And they cry to the Great Lord God above
To pity each victims soul.

5. Oh! now is the moment of bitter need
And that moment will soon be past
It is vain to struggle in death’s embrace
Its cold hand has gripped them fast
Oh! the light is sweet to the darkening eye
And the sea makes a lonely grave
But no human power in that awful hour
E’en one precious life could save.

6. There are three gone now but the other two
Are struggling right bravely yet
With many brows (var. breasts) to the heavens laid bare
And their teeth in agony set
Each meets the wave with its warm breast
And strikes through the blinding foam
For the love of life – for the love of wife
For the love of his cherished home.

7. There is one left now and his dwelling lies
Low down on the rugged shore
And he knows that 3 little lads are there
At play round his cabin door,
With the strength of noble manhood’s prime
With the hopes of the future high
With the land in sight and life so bright
He will not – he cannot die.

8. All is o‘er – the struggle was dire but brief
The last of the five is gone
Those gallant men who for others’ lives
Were ready to risk their own
We do not bid them a last farewell
We will meet on a future day
For the crimson flood our Our Saviours blood
Takes the sins of this world away.