He sailed away
Not knowing he would have to stay
Away from his island Roanoke

He was delayed in England
To the war's demand
And couldn't go back to Roanoke

Before he left he did say,
"Carve a cross on a tree you may
On our beloved Island Roanoke

Only make the mark
If you are in trouble, on the tree bark
On that active island of Roanoke"

When White returned back
He saw nothing like that
On that deserted island of Roanoke

He saw on a tree
Not the cross, said he
On that once beautiful island of Roanoke

He never saw his people again;
The word "Croatoan" was the only trace of them
On that deserted island of Roanoke.