It was in nineteen hundred and twenty nine,
Run come see, I remember that day very well, run come see,
It was in nineteen hundred and twenty nine
Run come see, Jerusalem.

That day they were talkin'
'Bout a storm in the islands,
They were talkin' 'bout a storm in the islands
My God what a beautiful morning.

That day there were three ships a leavin' out the harbor
That day there were three ships a leavin' out the harbor
The Ethel, the Myrtle and the Pretoria.

These ships were bound for a neighbouring island
These ships were bound for a neighbouring island
With the mothers and children on board.

Now the Pretoria was out on the ocean,2x
Rocking from side to side
My God, when the first wave hit the Pretoria,2x
The mothers come hauling to their children

My God, there were thirty-three souls on the water,2x
Oh my God there were women praying to the good Lord

My God, now George Brown he was the captain
He shouted come my children come pray
He said, "Come now, witness your judgment day."