I was hanging around Dallas, just spending my time;
  Riding the vents and not earning a dime;
  When a fellow steps up and he said I can tell;
  You're an old Pig Boat rider by the likes of that smell;
  Well you figure me right and I've rode quite a few;
  Boats from EB and Portsmouth and Manitowoc too;
  From the barrier up north to the blue Caribbean;
  There's hardly a Pig Boat that I haven't seen;

  I've made Med runs and West Pac's - been through the canal;
  Been to Subic and Naples and old Montreal;
  I've filled every billet from messcook to COB;
  I can stand any watch I can do any job;
  Do you happen to know of a boat I can ride;
  One that is steeped in historical pride;
  He said that he knew one, she's a hero of war;
  But she's now a museum didn't operate no more;

  She's been mistreated and neglected and is close to her grave;
  Down in Galveston harbor, Cavalla's her name;
  Then I get all excited, cause I knew of her lore;
  Of the brave submariners that rode her to war;
  He said get your bunk bag and I'll take you down there;
  She needs some boat riders who'll work and who care;
  So we drove down to see her and what we could do;
  When I gazed on Cavalla, my heart broke in two;

  Down at Seawolf Park out on Pelican Isle;
  Is a crusty old fleet boat of Guppy II style;
  Instead of a teak deck there's a layer of cement;
  Her superstructure is rusted and her bow planes are bent;
  Several clamshells are missing, there are holes everywhere;
  To an old submariner, the sight's hard to bear;
  Her ribbons were fading, the paint's wearing thin;
  Imagine Cavalla in full fighting trim;

  Then we went down below to see more of the same;
  The condition of this boat is really a shame;
  The pump room is flooded; So's the battery well;
  The decks and the bulkheads have all gone to hell;
  You look for some bright work to polish and shine;
  But the copper and brass pipes are painted you find;
  The 244 boat is dingy and dim;
  Saving Cavalla's a fight we must win;

  Now I've been a plank owner on boats that are new;
  And I've rode 'em when a yard trip is past overdue;
  Seen 'em damaged from collision and from contact with ice;
  And from fires and flooding, these scenes aren't real nice;
  But I'll tell you Cavalla's the worst I have seen;
  Of all of those hundreds of fine submarines;
  And I'll bet all my money not a Subvets alive;
  That can look at Cavalla and keep a dry eye;

  Now that you know of Cavalla's sad plight;
  We need some boat riders who'll work and who'll fight;
  There's a lot to be done, but it's a worthwhile cause;
  To save this great lady from the grim reapers jaws;
  So step up and be a brave volunteer again;
  It will make you more proud of that twin dolphin pin;