On a clear April day, 1963
Took a memorable ride
On a silver submarine

One hundred-plus men
John, Wesley, Harvey, and me
All aboard the SSN-593

Goin' down, goin' down
Goin' down, down, down
Down

"Harvey to base, we're at 1,000 feet
Jimmy's doin' real good
I think he's getting ahold of this thing"

Then the rattle of pipes
Then the hiss of the steam
I was the man of the hour
'Til the alarm bells started ringing

Goin' down, goin' down
Goin' down, down, down
Down

Oh, Thresher
We can't take no more
Slow pirouette into the arms
Of the ocean floor

Wonder and fear
Unending black sea
Held everyone's gaze
In a quiet humility

Mother ocean, we are
At the mercy of thee
Like children in uniform
Balancing on your knee

Goin' down, goin' down
Goin' down, down, down
Down
Oh, Thresher
We can't take no more
Slow pirouette into the arms
Of the ocean floor

Oh, Thresher
We can't take no more
And slow pirouette into the arms
Of the ocean floor