verse 1
N.C.
Not tonight of any night said the Coxwain of the crew
G D G
The chances of survival on a night like this are few
G C G
December 1940 on the coast of Donegal
G
Came a great north wind
G
That could have been the cruellest of them all
G D C G
14 men were missing 18 more in great destress
G
Jack Boyle knew that their future in his hands had come to rest
G C G
He knew a man who knew the sea if any man would know
G D C G
We’ll show the way without delay O’Donnell said I’ll go
Chorus
G C G
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done
G Em C Em G
I’ll go cause I’m a lifeboat man I am my father’s son
G C G
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done
G Em C Em G
I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son
verse 2
G
The neighbours watch them gather and they cast a worried eye
G D G
And wondered how that lifeboat crew could possible survive
G C G
They all agree that some at least the greatest price would pay
G
And old the men shed a tear and knelt down on the ground to pray
G D C G
While standin on the pier with his handpicked squad of men
G
Jack told each of one that they might never see their homes again
G C G
And he told that there would be no shame if this time they said no
G D C G
Each traced a cross upon his brow, stepped up and said I’ll go
Chorus
G C G
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done
G Em C Em G
I’ll go cause I’m a lifeboat man I am my father’s son
G C G
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done
G Em C Em G
I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son
verse 3
G
Against the storm against the gale against the mighty waves
G D G
Those men were rightly honoured as the bravest of the brave
G C G
And let everyone salute them and thank god for men like these
G
Who would risk their lives for strangers in peril on the seas
G D C G
O’Donnell, Ward and Gallagher remember these names well
G
With the Boyles, Byrne’s and Rodgers they faced the seas from hell
G C G
With the waves above them crashing down and a heaving mass below
G D C G
God bless them everyone who made the vow to say I’ll go
Chorus
G C G
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done
G Em C Em G
I’ll go cause I’m a lifeboat man I am my father’s son
G C G
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done
G Em C Em G
I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son
verse 4
G
Now this volunteer lifeboat crew Illion Arranmore
G D G
They faced the biggest storm that they had ever seen before
G C G
But they brought them 18 sailors home and left them on the land
G
Now their safe & well and home again by the grace of god’s own hand
G D C G
Now the spirits soar above the waves they earned eternal rest
G
Surely if there’s justice they are seated with the best
G C G
I’d like to think in that last hour god whispered soft and low
G D C G
And welcomed home the eight brave men who made the vow to go
Chorus
G C G
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done
G Em C Em G
I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son
G C G
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done
G Em C Em G
I’ll go cause I’m from Arranmore I am my father’s son