Song Description

historical ballad about the sinking & crew rescue of the US submarine, The Squalus.

Lyrics

One of Thirty-Three (The Ballad of the Squalus)
Eric Hess - 2005 Ac CWEHv1

Her name was the Squalus, a submarine no more
And I was barely eighteen years, when her I served on board
We numbered fifty-nine, to test her out that day
Soon twenty-six were dead, and on the bottom we did lay
I did not think I'd execute, the order gave to me
But I did my job just like the rest; I'm one of thirty-three


It was just before eight AM, when in the ocean roared
The captain gave the order, to lock down all the doors
And in a moment that will haunt me, until the day I die
I spun that lever on those doors, and sealed my friends inside
Then I sat down on the cold, cold deck, my head between my knees
The captain said you saved my life; I'm one of thirty-three


We froze on the bottom, as the hours ticked away
The captain bowed his head and said, boys it's time to pray
Now I am not religious, never been much for prayer
But the shadow in the valley of death had got me scared
So I prayed for my Mama, that her again I'd see
And I prayed for my wretched soul, Lord one of thirty-three




Well the Sculpin finally found us, and brought the Falcon too
Like an angel through those icy depths, that diving bell got through
Me and the captain were that last to leave that ship
We said a prayer and left her there, in the devils icy grip
And when I lie awake at night, I wonder what would be
If I was one of twenty-six, not one of thirty-three
And sometimes I feel guilty, and those doors I sometimes see
But I am here to tell the tale; I'm one of thirty-three
I am here to tell the tale, one of thirty-three