The Original "Roll Alabama"

Long before frenzied fans bellowed for the Crimson Tide to roll, ale-swilling sailors and fellow-travelers gustily sang the sad tale of the CSS Alabama. By all accounts, the CSS Alabama was a terror of the high seas to Yankee shipping during the Civil War. The Alabama sent Union ships to Davy Jones locker from Texas to North Carolina. While in Cherbourg, France, in 1864 the Alabama was surprised by the USS Kearsage. The Alabama met a watery grave. The ship took on legendary status and was soon memorialized in song. Here is some timely art work to illustrate this post.

This is a depiction of the USS Kearsage sinking the CSS Alabama off Cherbourg, France, in 1964. I think it is an artist conception since this was a long time before CNN or FoxNews. The rest of this story is that I had never heard of the song until a friend of mine brought it to my attention. The chap was none other than Trevor Killen, once introduced to the Alabama Legislature as the ambassador of Northern Ireland. Trevor is, indeed, from Northern Ireland and a devotee of all-things Alabama. We became close friends over a bottle of Scotch while both of us were in Basra, Iraq. If I could figure out how to make the record function work on my computer, I would sing into this blasted machine and share this wonderful song with you. While planting corn today, Trevor leaped into my mind. Funny how that stuff works, huh? Trevor was part of the team that created the economic boom in Ireland several years ago. Unfortunately, poor Ireland is now falling on hard times. As a representative of the Northern Ireland governing authority, Trevor was sent on a goodwill mission to the United States. All this happened in the 1980s. He was treated well on his tour but when he got to Alabama, he fell in love. He related to me that he was treated as if he were royalty. Amazing what doors an Irish accent will open. When he got to Montgomery, he was invited to address a joint session of the Alabama Legislature. That was when he was introduced as an ambassador. What a guy! Here are the words of the song honoring the CSS Alabama. You can thank Trevor for providing them. By the way, he dictated the words of the song to me. I call that close to being a miracle since he remembered them and I was able to write them down in long hand on the back of an envelope after we polished off a terrific 12-year old bottle of Scotch. God bless the Irish. They scoff at weepy concerns of alcoholism and bravely provide guidance for a thirsty world. Trevor is one of my household heroes. Roll Alabama Roll When the Alabama's keel was laid Roll, Alabama, Roll It was laid in the yards of Jonathan Laird O roll, Alabama, roll It was laid in the yards of Jonathan Laird It was laid in the town of Birkenhead Down the Mersey way she sailed then And Liverpool fitted her with guns and men Down the Mersey way she then sailed forth To destroy the commerce of the North To Cherbourg port she sailed one day To collect her share of the prize money And many a sailor lad he met his doom When the Kearsage appeared in view A shot from the forward pivot that day Blew the Alabama's stern away Off the three mile limit in sixty-four The Alabama went to her grave Trevor, my friend, I pray that the road always rises in front of you and that the wind is always at back. When you tire of the Emeral Isle, come on home to Alabama.