My father’s dad; he was a whaling man
He was swallow-up by the sea.
My own father and brother –
They both followed him down;
That leaves the ocean and me
That leaves the ocean and me.
Everyone chases after something out there;
Some for fish, some for clear days.
But the fish come to slow
And the day’s run too long;
I believe that I just run away to the sea.
I believe that I just run away.
When there is nothing but wet wood
Beneath my feet,
The sea is a joyless and a bore.
But you know that I wish I was sailing once again
Just as soon as I get both my feet ashore.
Just as soon as I get both my feet ashore.
You know I tell my wife I ain’t going out again,
But I think she knows that it ain’t true.
So when I am gone do a favor for me;
Sing the song that I am singing you, my boys
Sing the song that I am singing you.
My father’s dad was a whaling man
He was swallow-up by the sea.
My own father and brother –
They both followed him down;
That leaves the ocean and me.
That leaves the ocean and me.