Lyrics

[Chorus]
Don’t give up the ship, my friends, don’t give up the ship!
Though storms may pound the timbers and the cynics let ’er slip.
Hold tight to truth and duty with a patriotic grip —
We’re sailing through the gale tonight, so don’t give up the ship!

[Verse 1]
The waves are crashin’ sideways and the compass spins around,
And the captains shoutin’ nonsense tryin’ hard to run aground.
But the crew still knows their orders, and they’re carved in vellum script:
“To guard the Constitution” — aye, don’t give up the ship!

[Chorus]
Don’t give up the ship, my friends, don’t give up the ship!
Though storms may pound the timbers and the cynics let ’er slip.
Hold tight to truth and duty with a patriotic grip —
We’re sailing through the gale tonight, so don’t give up the ship!

[Verse 2]
There’s a loud and blust’rous bosun who keeps cryin’ “Treason!” loud,
Anytime the mates remind us of our sacred oath and vow.
But the law outranks a tempter with lies upon his lips,
And the oath calls every sailor to not give up the ship.

[Chorus]
Don’t give up the ship, my friends, don’t give up the ship!
Though storms may pound the timbers and the cynics let ’er slip.
Hold tight to truth and duty with a patriotic grip —
We’re sailing through the gale tonight, so don’t give up the ship!

[Verse 3]
Some say to follow orders, even ones that break the chart;
But a sailor knows the difference ’tween a tyrant’s whim and heart.
And the laws that bind this vessel keep us steady, true, and clipped —
They’re the ropes that hold us upright — so don’t give up the ship!

[Bridge – Call & Response]
(Leader): When the winds blow wild with rumor —
(Crew): Stand firm, let the truth equip!
(Leader): When a tyrant tries to seize the wheel —
(Crew): Don’t give up the ship!
(Leader): When they call your courage “treason” —
(Crew): Keep faith, let the old words grip!
(Leader): When the night is long and the lies blow strong —
(Crew): Don’t give up the ship!

[Final Chorus]
Don’t give up the ship, my friends, don’t give up the ship!
Though storms may pound the timbers and the cynics let ’er slip.
Hold tight to truth and duty with a patriotic grip —
We’re sailing through the dawn at last so —
DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP!