Civil War Lyrics Roll Alabama Roll - The original author is unknown | Civil War Music

Civil War Lyrics & Civil War Music Index - Click Here

(placeholder)

Gorgas House

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Raphael Semmes Statue

Mobile, Alabama

Raphael Semmes House

Mobile, Alabama

Main Gates

University of Alabama

Capstone Memorial

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

When the Alabama’s keel was laid

Roll, Alabama, Roll

Twas laid in the yard of Jonathan Laird

O Roll, Alabama, Roll


Twas laid in the yard of Jonathan Laird

Roll, Alabama, Roll

Twas laid in the town of Birkenhead

O Roll, Alabama, Roll


Down the Mersey way she rolled then

Roll, Alabama, Roll

Liverpool fitted her with guns and men

O Roll, Alabama, Roll


From the Western Isle she sailed forth

Roll, Alabama, Roll

To destroy the commerce of the North

O Roll, Alabama, Roll


To Cherbourg port she sailed one day

Roll, Alabama, Roll

To take her count of prize money

O Roll, Alabama, Roll


Many a sailor lad he met his doom

Roll, Alabama, Roll

When the Kearsarge it hove in view

O Roll, Alabama, Roll


Til a ball from the forward pivot that day

Roll, Alabama, Roll

Shot the Alabama’s stern away

O Roll, Alabama, Roll


Off the three mile limit in sixty-five*

Roll, Alabama, Roll

The Alabama went to her grave

O Roll, Alabama, Roll



* The C.S.S. Alabama was sunk by the U.S.S. Kearsarge on June 19, 1864

Roll Alabama Roll

As performed by Bobby Horton

Homespun Songs of the C.S.A., Volume 4

An English “sea shanty”, or shipboard working song, it chronicles the history of the most successful ship in the Confederate Navy, the C.S.S. Alabama.  The original author is unknown.

Like This “Roll Alabama Roll” Page

Follow Me on Pinterest

Advertise On Our Site

Subscribe to Our

"Civil War Heritage Trails"

e-Newsletter

Honor Your Ancestors and Help Tell Their Story

We Will Never Share Your Information!

Unsubscribe Easily.