The Sailor's Song

Down by the coast where the fishermen boast

That they reap the best harvest at sea

Where the great waves were rolling a boy came a-strolling

With an attitude lax and carefree

Then out on the tide a ship he espied

riding the ragged wave crests

For to the town the sailors were bound

With minds for fine drink and rest

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"My boy," said the oldest, "The lads that are boldest

Go with the tide at dawn's light

You'll find what is yours on far distant shores

And sleep under stars every night

You'll soon be a-strolling where the blue waves are rolling

Along glittering coastlines of gold

Ah, we'll sail together with the sweet winds forever

And settle in warm lands when we're old!"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Chorus

Oh you can gain sailor's pride if you go with the tide

And voyage to the ends of the earth

From Cork to Killarney to drink of the barley

Then on to find another land's berth

We'll avoid any toil on one land's dull soil

And go where the pretty girls roam

But when they come a-knocking with their sweet babes a-rocking

We'll be off for the vast sea to roam

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Said the second, "My lad, you'll surely be glad

If you take to the rigging and go

With the wind in your face to a far distant place

There greatest pleasures to know

Where the mighty tides rein the sweet coasts of Spain

We'll dance to the salsa at night

There'll be Spanish guitars in Latino bars

And señoritas to bring sweet delight!"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Chorus

Oh you can gain sailor's pride if you go with the tide

And voyage to the ends of the earth

From Cork to Killarney to drink of the barley

Then on to find another land's berth

We'll avoid any toil on one land's dull soil

And go where the pretty girls roam

But when they come a-knocking with their sweet babes a-rocking

We'll be off for the vast sea to roam!

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"My lad," said number three, "There surely can be

No finer profession to own

Your soul will be strong, you'll sail a life long

And know many a tale when you're grown

On the sea's mighty crests you'll fight with the best

And your children will be proud of your deeds

Ah, surely to ride with the victorious tides

Is all that a man ever needs!"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Chorus

Oh you can gain sailor's pride if you go with the tide

And voyage to the ends of the earth

From Cork to Killarney to drink of the barley

Then on to find another land's berth

We'll avoid any toil on one land's dull soil

And go where the pretty girls roam

But when they come a-knocking with their sweet babes a-rocking

We'll be off for the vast sea to roam!

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Said the youth with a grin "Sure I could now begin

A voyage to the end of my days

But I best understand a life on the land

Tending to barely and maze

Sure there's no better place to feel the sun on my face

Than the country where my love has her home

She'll have no need to come knocking with our sweet babe a-rocking

And I'll have no desire to roam.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

My children will know how the sweet crops to grow

And I'll teach them all that I know

And when they're grown they'll have land of their own

And security when I have to go

Oh, I'd exchange golden sands for my country's green land

Where the seeds of the future are sown

And when my young come a-knocking with their sweet babes a-rocking

Sure, I'll be glad that I never did roam!"