The Final Trawl

Now it's three long years since we made her pay
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!
And the owners say that she's had her day
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!

So heave away for the final trawl
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!
It's an easy pull for the catch is small
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!

Stow your gear, lads, and batten down
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!
And we'll say farewell to the fishing grounds
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!

We'll join the Venture and the Morning Star
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!
Riding high and empty beyond the bar
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!

For I'd rather beach her on the Skerry rock
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!
Than to see her torched in the breaker's dock
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!

And when I die you can stow me down
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!
In her rusty hold where the breakers pound
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!

Then I'll make a haven out of Fiddler's Green
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!
Where the rhum is good, and the bunks are clean
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!

I've fished a lifetime, boy and man
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!
And this final trawl scarcely makes a cran
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!

Three long years since we made her pay
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!
And the owners say that she's had her day
Sing haul away, my laddie, oh!