verse 1
C Am C Am
Just married and the world seemed new.
C Am C Am
It was August 1942 (say a prayer, Maryann)
F Dm
He was the Bosun on the cruiser Canberra
F Dm C
The young woman’s name was Mary Ann.
C Am C Am
Say a prayer for a lonely sailor. (say a prayer, Maryann)
verse 2
C Am C Am
On the docks there were children waving. (say a prayer, Maryann)
C Am C Am
To the boys of His Majesty’s Navy (say a prayer, Maryann)
F Dm
They set sail for the Solomon Islands
F Dm C
There to fight for an airstrip at Henderson Field.
C Am C Am
Say a prayer for a lonely sailor. (say a prayer, Maryann)
verse 3
C Am C Am
A rainy night and the wind blew sombre. (say a prayer, Maryann)
C Am C Am
They anchored north of Manamatomba (say a prayer, Maryann)
F Dm
Around the point of Savo Island
F Dm C
Four Jap destroyers* with their eight-inch guns ablaze.
C Am C Am
Not a prayer for the cruiser Canberra. (say a prayer, Maryann)
verse 4
C Am C Am
I went down to the beach last Sunday. (say a prayer, Maryann)
C Am C Am
Took my nephew for a swim at Manly. (say a prayer, Maryann)
F Dm
On a bench among the seagulls
F Dm C
An old woman sat staring out to sea.
C Am C Am
Say a pray for a lonely sailor. (say a prayer, Maryann)
Outtro
C Am C Am
Say a pray for a lonely sailor. (say a prayer, Maryann)
C Am C Am
Say a pray for a lonely sailor. (say a prayer, Maryann)