Oh, they heard them in Detroit, locked in iron repartee
In Cleveland town, they heard the sound of thunder there, quite clearly
The guns on old Lake Erie on that bright September day
When Perry met the British off the shores of Put-in-Bay
Oh, my name it does not matter, but my story will be told
When Harrison cried for volunteers, I answered to the call
To Erie, Pennsylvania, from my north Ohio farm
To serve upon the Lawrence as a gunner's mate ‘at arms
Was there I first saw Perry, full of swagger, bra**, and blow
Greetin' all us newborn sailor lads, then it's over the bar we go
Sailin' to the westward, say farewell to old Presque
Sporting sails from every halyard to Sandusky Bay with style
Oh, they heard them in Detroit, locked in iron repartee
In Cleveland town, they heard the sound of thunder there, quite clearly
The guns on old Lake Erie on that bright September day
When Perry met the British off the shores of Put-in-Bay
This weren't no Sunday sail, this weren't no pleasure cruise
From dawn to dusk, we practiced with the guns that we would use
The loader's name was Rory, the mate was Ivory Buck
Me, I was the rammer and Bobby took the shots
We wed that piece of iron, a 32-pound carronade
A black and hulking metal dog, she'd spit and bark all day
And so we sailed the Lawrence out to teach the British manners
A little wooden eggshell brig, loaded up with deadly hammers
Oh, they heard them in Detroit, locked in iron repartee
In Cleveland town, they heard the sound of thunder there, quite clearly
The guns on old Lake Erie on that bright September day
When Perry met the British off the shores of Put-in-Bay
Well we finally made the bay, the one on South Ba** Island
I remember that day quite well for it for it was September 9
And the lookout spied a sail, we raise the anchor shortly
And headed for Snake Island gettin' ready for the sortie
Oh, the wind was from the sou-east and we couldn't make no way
I won't repeat how the Commodore swore and spat upon that day
Oh, that lucky Perry, he was blessed right and gifted
He called the change in course just as the wind, she finally shifted
Oh, they heard them in Detroit, locked in iron repartee
In Cleveland town, they heard the sound of thunder there, quite clearly
The guns on old Lake Erie on that bright September day
When Perry met the British off the shores of Put-in-Bay
And then we saw the British fleet all there in a line
Two ships, two brigs, a schooner, a sloop, each one quite taut and fine
And so we tacked up wind, into the battle script
To the flutter of the flag that said, “Boys, don't give up the ship.”
The British simply waited there, the Chippewa, and Detroit
The Lady and Queen Charlotte, Hunter, Little Belt all in sight
First, there came a ranging shot, a flash then report
A splash and a laugh from all the crew, the King's first shot fell short
Then one by one, the long-range guns opened up with their applause
As the whistle of d**h from black metal birds wiped smiles from every jaw
Oh, Perry, he's a bold one, into that hell he sailed
And somewhere right behind us, Niagara's captain fell
Oh, they heard them in Detroit, locked in iron repartee
In Cleveland town, they heard the sound of thunder there, quite clearly
The guns on old Lake Erie on that bright September day
When Perry met the British off the shores of Put-in-Bay
The Lawrence guns did spit and puff for every broadside earned
As Niagara luff, we all held tough and three shots we returned
Then a splinter caught poor Rory's arm and a ball took off his face
Then Ivory Buck was cut in half and blood was every place
Bobby and me loaded up and fired her once again
Then the loblolly boys took Bob below and he caught some chaff in the chin
I looked up to the forecastle, I saw the first mate fall
As 20 pounds of British iron punched him through the wall
And through the smoke before me and a jacket just like mine
Perry himself comes up to me and hands me a line
Saying, “Come with me, the Lawrence is lost, find a boat and go,
Over to Niagara, we'll engage our bloody foe.”
Oh, they heard them in Detroit, locked in iron repartee
In Cleveland town, they heard the sound of thunder there, quite clearly
The guns on old Lake Erie on that bright September day
When Perry met the British off the shores of Put-in-Bay
So me, and three from God knows where, put a boat over the side
With Perry hoisting the battle flag, we rowed to survive
There were geysers of water from cannon balls, there was foam and flame and smoke
I don't know how the British did it, but they missed our little boat
And when we made Niagara, into the line we go, with Perry like a madman
Barking orders to us all
The British tried attack, four guns on starboard side,
But Detroit snarls in the rigging as with Charlotte collides
Bow to mizzen entangle, a wretched smoking mess
As up sails our Niagara, guns blazing east and west
The music of the guns that day was set towards inspire
The rhythm of the carronade was sponge, load, aim, and fire
Upon the decks of England, blood gushed into the lake
And many a man who just like me, the journey home won't make
Then the Detroit gave just one last shout, sent a white flag up the mast
As did Hunter and the Lady, the guns fell quiet at last
And oh what dreadful silence filled our ears with mortal dread
Smoke clear away and the waning day, we counted up the dead
Oh, they heard them in Detroit, locked in iron repartee
In Cleveland town, they heard the sound of thunder there, quite clearly
The guns on old Lake Erie on that bright September day
When Perry met the British off the shores of Put-in-Bay
“We have met the enemy and they are ours”, Perry wrote upon that day
Two ships, two brigs, a schooner, a sloop the history books will say
There are those who fight for country, there are those who fight for King
Some believe that might makes right and some don't believe a thing
Me, I believe I'm lucky to survive that awful day,
As the echo of cannons fade and gun smoke drifts away
For the winds of war might blow again, but pray not too near me
I'll go back to my farm, do no man harm, and leave Perry's fame to history
Oh, they heard them in Detroit, locked in iron repartee
In Cleveland town, they heard the sound of thunder there, quite clearly
The guns on old Lake Erie on that bright September day
When Perry met the British off the shores of Put-in-Bay