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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Is man's unchanging doom,
For every living being, must
Lie in the silent tomb.
Dear friends depart, though loved,
So we, no human power can save,
How oft, the solemn tolling bell
Reminds us of the grave.

'Twas in the year of sixty-six,
The eighth day of July,
Nine started for a pleasure trip,
No danger, nigh.
Upon Smith's Bay, they sailed along
Until a hat was lost,
Which, by their efforts to regain
This sad event was caused.

For suddenly, the boat capsized,
All overboard were cast;
In rain they tried to save their lives,
But seven of them were lost.
And sad it is, to think that five
Belonged to Mrs. Pierce
Who shared their danger, hear their cries
But just not give relief.

Upon the drifting boat she clung
For three long hours or more
Supporting Michael Harrington
Until they reached the shore. 
Their friends and neighbors gather round
When they, the tidings hear
And soon their bodies all were found
And claimed by parents, dear.

Alas! It was a painful sight
To see them brought ashore,
So sadly changed, so cold and white
Where all was life, before.
Their parents clasped them in their arms
And kissed them o'er again,
And long embraced their lifeless forms
None could, from tears, refrain.

George Brown, whose age was twenty one
lay calmly sleeping there.
John Harrington, about fifteen
Free from all earthly care.
Of Pierce's family, Patience Ann,
The mother's joy and pride
William and Robert, David, John
and George lay side by side.

Who can describe the mother's woe,
Her anguish and despair;
She almost wished she was laid low
Beside her darlings, there.
All earthly happiness seemed gone,
Her heart, of hope, bereft,
Of all their children, only one
Sweet little girl is left.

Then soon their bodies were prepared
Within the tomb to dwell,
And many friends assembled there
To make a last farewell.
And solemnley, they were conveyed
From earthly homes away
And in the silent dust were laid
Until the Judgment Day.

August 26th, 1866
Author Unknown