Sea Shanty

We’ve been a sail a month or two
it could be three or four,
and I’m just waiting for my eyes to light
upon the distant shore.
For fish and salt and lumbered wood
I’ll sail upon the sea,
For water and wool and sewing pins
I’ll sail away from thee.

My sweater’s bare, my hands are cold
its dark and black below,
the shifting ocean ‘neath my feet
is the only life I know.
Take me home, gentle waves,
Take me home, rushing tide
I’m drowning in the steady seas
For I’m not at your side.

My mates all talk of heaven,
lands of gold and green,
The setting sun upon the waves
the only gold I’ve seen.
For fish and salt and lumbered wood
I’ll sail upon the sea,
For water and wool and sewing pins
I’ll sail away from thee.

My brother booked a passage
down to New South Wales.
Instead he went to paradise,
drowned in November’s gales.
Take me home, gentle waves,
Take me home, rushing tide
I’m drowning in the steady seas
For I’m not at your side.

I have ridden the heaving waves
when the sea-borne air turns grey
there’s nothing left for the sailors then
but to hold the line and pray.
Take me home, gentle waves,
Take me home, rushing tide
I’m drowning in the steady seas
For I’m not at your side.