The ship arrived in such regal splendor
Her decks lined glistening from fresh navy grey
Sailors lined up smartly in starched attire
The admiralty was proud of this special day
No equal had she on these seas or others
Her guns bristled with such menacing force
The stars and stripes waved from her mainmast
No other ship dared to stray in her course
Yet those ashore shared not the excitement
Their country welcomed not this sign of power
Though they waved flags they feared their future
Salvation slipped away with each passing hour
Yet unexpectedly there arose such a noise
A blast of smoke and flame shot in the air
When all looked seaward to see the commotion
The ship and her crew were no longer there
Cries and screams spread all over the harbor
Sirens blared and alarms did ring
Ships and boats raced to seek survivors
Though never expecting their help to bring
So it was that the Maine was gone
The battleship lost in smoke and flame
A war would be fought with death to thousands
Misplaced ammo never receiving the blame
