Beaver Island

I came across the foam in 1846
Dear old Donegal, how England starved her sorely
Landed in New York, a sight to see no work for me
With some boys from Cork, the Canal would take us westward

Through locks and docks we swayed, flushed to Lake Erie on our way
The bricks of old Corktown, the Detroit quay we'd fancy
But roving was my trade, so on I'd go to sail the lakes
An Island for my home, a whiskey for me darlin'

Roll and go, roll and go
Sails unfurled these lakes we're rolling
Just around the Straits we'll be back to Beaver Island
Roll me bully's, roll us home
Emerald isle of Michigami
Head for the shore leave the troubled sea behind ya

In 1848 the Strangites crossed to flee their flock
A Mormon church they'd build, with sticks and sheets of canvas
Strang was crowned a king, his will he thought would rule this rock
No Irishmen you'll find, a king he'd bend a knee for

To Mackinac we stowed, awaiting for a plan to strike
Strang began to raid, a Pirate as much as any
Enticing crews ashore, killed them all and seized their haul
Cunning like a fox, the Beavers never pardon

Roll and go, roll and go
Sails unfurled these lakes we're rolling
Just around the Straits we'll be back to Beaver Island
Roll me bully's, roll us home
Emerald isle of Michigami
Head for the shore leave the troubled sea behind ya

Now 1856 St. James himself would find his death
At the hands of his own men, without the care of many
The Beavers we set sail to end the reign of old king James
A fight they were to find, déan ionsaí ar an gcladach!

Roll and go, roll and go
Sails unfurled these lakes we're rolling
Just around the Straits we'll be back to Beaver Island
Roll me bully's, roll us home
Emerald isle of Michigami
Head for the shore leave the troubled sea behind ya

Roll and go, roll and go
Sails unfurled these lakes we're rolling
Just around the Straits we'll be back to Beaver Island
Roll me bully's, roll us home
Emerald isle of Michigami
Head for the shore leave the troubled sea behind ya