verse 1 
N.C. 
Not tonight of any night said the Coxwain of the crew 
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The chances of survival on a night like this are few 
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December 1940 on the coast of Donegal  
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Came a great north wind 
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That could have been the cruellest of them all  
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14 men were missing 18 more in great destress  
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Jack Boyle knew that their future in his hands had come to rest  
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He knew a man who knew the sea if any man would know 
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We’ll show the way without delay O’Donnell said I’ll go 


[Refrão]
Chorus 
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I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done 
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I’ll go cause I’m a lifeboat man I am my father’s son 
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I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done 
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I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son 

verse 2 
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The neighbours watch them gather and they cast a worried eye  
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And wondered how that lifeboat crew could possible survive  
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They all agree that some at least the greatest price would pay 
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And old the men shed a tear and knelt down on the ground to pray 
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While standin on the pier with his handpicked squad of men  
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Jack told each of one that they might never see their homes again 
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And he told that there would be no shame if this time they said no 
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Each traced a cross upon his brow, stepped up and said I’ll go 


[Refrão]

Chorus 
G                             C                    G 
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done 
G                   Em       C       Em            G      
I’ll go cause I’m a lifeboat man I am my father’s son 
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I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done 
G                    Em       C       Em          G      
I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son 

verse 3 
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Against the storm against the gale against the mighty waves 
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Those men were rightly honoured as the bravest of the brave 
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And let everyone salute them and thank god for men like these 
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Who would risk their lives for strangers in peril on the seas 
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O’Donnell, Ward and Gallagher remember these names well  
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With the Boyles, Byrne’s and Rodgers they faced the seas from hell 
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With the waves above them crashing down and a heaving mass below 
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God bless them everyone who made the vow to say I’ll go 


[Refrão]
Chorus 
G                             C                    G 
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done 
G                   Em       C       Em            G      
I’ll go cause I’m a lifeboat man I am my father’s son 
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I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done 
G                    Em       C       Em          G      
I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son 

verse 4 
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Now this volunteer lifeboat crew Illion Arranmore 
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They faced the biggest storm that they had ever seen before  
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But they brought them 18 sailors home and left them on the land 
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Now their safe & well and home again by the grace of god’s own hand 
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Now the spirits soar above the waves they earned eternal rest 
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Surely if there’s justice they are seated with the best  
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I’d like to think in that last hour god whispered soft and low  
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And welcomed home the eight brave men who made the vow to go 


[Refrão]
Chorus 
G                             C                    G 
I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done 
G                   Em       C       Em           G      
I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son 
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I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done 
G                      Em       C       Em        G      
I’ll go cause I’m from Arranmore I am my father’s son