[Verse 1]
It happened on the Gulf of Mexico
One summer's day not many years ago
The Ursey family packed their things
Boogie boards and rubber rings
And to Panama City Beach, they all did go

[Verse 2]
Soon the kids were paddling happily
Stephen, Noah's faces filled with glee
But quick a riptide came and then
Swept their feet from under them
And pulled them out so swiftly to the sea

[Verse 3]
Their Mam and Dad and Grandma all rushed in
Though none of them would have the strength to swim
And soon there wеre 9 souls or more
Struggling further out from shorе
And a hundred helpless strangers looking grim

[Verse 4]
The crowd that gathered could not understand
Why no lifeguard was stationed on the sand
Then Derek Simmons spoke up strong
And raised his voice among the throng
'We need hand over hand over hand'
[Chorus]
Hand over hand over hand
Hand over hand over hand
The arms are strong
And the line is long
Reaching from land
Hand over hand over hand!

[Verse 5]
Then 20, 40, 80 formed a line
Arms and legs all locked tight and entwined
All ages, races, sexes, names
Sisters, brothers and strangers came
And a human chain stretched out into the brine

[Chorus]
Hand over hand over hand
Hand over hand over hand
The arms are strong
And the line is long
Reaching from land
Hand over hand over hand!

[Verse 6]
Jessica Simmons swam out strong and fine
On a boogie board she reached each of the nine
80 strangers took the strain
And prayed they'd hold the human chain
And passed the frightened people down the line
[Chorus]
Hand over hand over hand
Hand over hand over hand
The arms are strong
And the line is long
Reaching from land
Hand over hand over hand!

[Verse 7]
In an hour they'd rescued every one
And just before the sinking of the sun
Nine bright faces smiled again
And vowed to thank the human chain
But the 80 nameless strangers had all gone

[Chorus]
Hand over hand over hand
Hand over hand over hand
The arms are strong
And the line is long
Reaching from land
Hand over hand over hand!