BOATMAN

My father he did say to me ‘don’t ever be a boatman’
A mistress so cruel is the sea she’ll take you for her own
Many a woman’s tears have fallen for lovers lives were stolen 
Lost to a grave of saltwater made and never to return

And their whispers, call from the ocean
Saying ‘don’t you cry dear’
We are gone now and we are unbroken
And waiting for you

My mother she did say to me ‘don’t take your life for token’
Precious it is and given once only and to soon is the end
Find yourself a kind and fair maiden with whom to share your heart
A husband and a father be, a boatman be not

And their whispers, call from the ocean
Saying ‘don’t you cry dear’
We are gone now and we are unbroken
And waiting for you

My son I did say to him ‘don’t ever be a boatman’
A mistress so cruel is the sea she’ll take you for her own
Find yourself a kind and fair maiden with whom to hare your heart
A husband and a father be, a boatman be not

And their whispers, call from the ocean
Saying ‘don’t you cry dear’
We are strong now and we are unbroken
And waiting for you