Try to remember that distant November
Just one more voyage, then home awaiting
Sailors remember that stormy November
When swells ran high, winds not abating
Ship would dismember, and every crew member
From the skipper to the most lowly rating
Waves fear engender, they sunder and render
Then swallow, swallow

Families remember with feelings so tender
Who dared the lake, the risk not spurning
No chance to mend her, the bulkheads surrender
From that fateful night, there'll be no returning
Waves of November extinguish life's ember
And swallow, swallow

Came that December, the grief all remember
In pity, though, refuse to wallow
Go through the motion, lip service devotion
To ancient forms, tradition hallowed
This year the meetings, traditional greetings
Ring hollow, hollow, hollow