When Confederate forces took the Norfolk Naval Yard, they found the remains of the USS Merrimack. They raised her and converted her into a Casemate Ironclad Ram and armed her with 10 guns. Renamed the CSS Virginia, her first military action sank the Union ships Congress and Cumberland, making the Union fleet obsolete overnight. In response to this new ominous threat, the Union built a bigger monster of their own - the Monitor! The Metal Tyrant of the sea We'll bring the South down to its knees All engines full for ramming speed Nine plates of iron and blackened steel From the mind of John Ericsson in 1861 118 days it took to fit her with her guns To answer the Confederates a fit courageous crew They launched her to serve Liberty in 1862 [Chorus] The Monitor, the Iron Scourge The Metal Tyrant of the sea The Monitor, a slaughterer Will bring the South down to its knees The Monitor, the forefather Of naval combat for the free The Monitor, a murderer Engines full for ramming speed! As she steamed ahead, they set sail for hell Sinking deep down to the depths, dead sailors never tell In the battle of Hampton Roads the Merrimack would fight Only one dared challenge her, they'd battle on this night [Repeat Chorus] Four hours cannons lighting up the skyline Neither ship could turn the battle tide A hit from their cannons and the captain became blind First Officer Greene took the helm and refused to run and hide The seas were rough while undertow the waves were crashing high On New Year's Eve right off the coast some 16 men would die She holds today a legacy her history enshrined The fiercest of the ironclads, a legend of her time The Monitor, the Iron Scourge The Metal Tyrant of the sea The Monitor, a slaughterer Will bring the South down to its knees The Monitor, the forefather Of naval combat for the free The Monitor, a mariner Engines full for ramming speed! The Metal Tyrant of the sea We'll bring the South down to its knees All engines full for ramming speed Nine plates of iron and blackened steel The Monitor!