Methinks I see a host of craft 
Spreading their sails alee 
Down the Humber they do glide 
All bound for the Northern Sea 
Me thinks I see on each small craft 
A crew with hearts so brave 
Going out to earn their daily bread 
Upon the restless wave 

And it's three score and ten 
Boys and men were lost from Grimsby town 
From Yarmouth down to Scarboro 
Many hundreds more were drowned 
Our herring craft, our trawlers 
Our fishing smacks, as well 
They long did fight that bitter night 
The battle with the swell 

Methinks I see them yet again 
As they leave this land behind
Casting their nets into the sea 
The herring shoals to find 
Me thinks I see them yet again 
They're all on board all right 
With their nets rolled up and their decks cleaned off 
And the side lights burning bright 

Me thinks I've heard the captain say 
"Me lads we'll shorten sail" 
With the sky to all appearances 
Looks like an approaching gale 
Me thinks I see them yet again 
Midnight hour is past 
The little craft abattling there 
Against the icy blast 

October's night brought such a sight 
Twas never seen before 
There were mast and yards and broken spars 
A washing on the shore 
There were many a heart in sorrow 
Many a heart so brave 
There were many a fine and hearty lad 
That met a watery grave