About the song
“Sink the Bismarck” is a stirring historical ballad by Johnny Horton, a celebrated figure in the realm of American country music. Released in 1960, this song stands as a testament to Horton’s knack for crafting engaging narratives drawn from historical events. The song was penned by the talented team of Tillman Franks and Johnny Horton himself, showcasing their ability to transform a significant wartime episode into a compelling musical piece.
“Sink the Bismarck” is included in the album “Johnny Horton Makes History,” which features a collection of songs that bring historical tales to life through Horton’s distinctive voice and energetic style. The album further solidified Horton’s reputation as an artist who could bridge the past and present, making history accessible and entertaining for contemporary audiences.
The song narrates the dramatic pursuit and eventual sinking of the German battleship Bismarck during World War II, a crucial victory for the Allies in 1941. Horton’s vivid lyrics and spirited performance capture the intensity and urgency of the naval engagement, making listeners feel as though they are part of the action.
Upon its release, “Sink the Bismarck” achieved considerable success, climbing to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This impressive feat was indicative of Horton’s widespread appeal and the song’s ability to resonate with a broad audience. Its popularity was bolstered by the concurrent release of the movie “Sink the Bismarck!” which helped bring the song to an even wider audience.
Johnny Horton’s “Sink the Bismarck” remains a beloved classic, celebrated for its historical significance and the way it masterfully intertwines storytelling with music. It is a prime example of how songs can preserve and honor history, ensuring that important events and their heroes are remembered by future generations.
Video
Lyrics
In May of nineteen forty-one the war had just begun
The Germans had the biggest ship, they had the biggest guns
The Bismarck was the fastest ship that ever sailed the sea
On her deck were guns as big as steers and shells as big as trees
Out of the cold and foggy night came the British ship, the Hood
And every British seaman, he knew and understood
They had to sink the Bismarck, the terror of the sea
Stop those guns as big as steers and those shells as big as trees
We’ll find the German battleship that’s makin’ such a fuss
We gotta sink the Bismarck cause the world depends on us
Hit the decks a-runnin’ boys and spin those guns around
When we find the Bismarck we gotta cut her down
The Hood found the Bismarck on that fatal day
The Bismarck started firin’ fifteen miles away
“We gotta sink the Bismarck” was the battle sound
But when the smoke had cleared away, the mighty Hood went down
For six long days and weary nights they tried to find her trail
Churchill told the people “put every ship a-sail
‘Cause somewhere on that ocean I know she’s gotta be
We gotta sink the Bismarck to the bottom of the sea”
We’ll find that German battleship that’s makin’ such a fuss
We gotta sink the Bismarck ’cause the world depends on us
Hit the decks a-runnin’ boys and spin those guns around
When we find the Bismarck we gotta cut her down
The fog was gone the seventh day and they saw the mornin’ sun
Ten hours away from homeland the Bismarck made its run
The admiral of the British fleet said “turn those bows around
We found that German battleship and we’re gonna cut her down”
The British guns were aimed and the shells were comin’ fast
The first shell hit the Bismarck, they knew she couldn’t last
That mighty German battleship is just a memory
“Sink the Bismarck” was the battle cry that shook the seven seas
We found that German battleship been makin’ such a fuss
We had to sink the Bismarck ’cause the world depends on us
We hit the deck a-runnin’ and we spun those guns around
Yeah, we found the mighty Bismarck and prepared to cut her down
We found that German battleship been makin’ such a fuss
We had to sink the Bismarck ’cause the world depends on us
We hit the deck a-runnin’ and we spun those guns around
We found the mighty Bismarck and then we cut her down