The Final Trawl

It’s been three long years
Since we made her pay,
Sing, haul away, my laddie-o
And we can’t get by on the subsidy,
Sing haul away, my laddie-o
So now you heave away,
For the final trawl
Sing haul away, my laddie-o
It’s an easy pull
For the catch is small
Sing haul away, my laddie-o.
And then you take your gear, lad,
And batten down,
And I’ll taker her wheel, lad,
And turn her 'round.
And then we’ll join the 'Venture'
And the 'Morning Star'
Riding high and empty
Towards the bar.
For I’d rather beach her
On the Skerry rock
Than to see her torched
In the breakers dock
Then when I die,
You can stow me down
In her rusty hold
Where the breakers sound
And then I’ll make the haven
Of Fiddler’s Green
Where the grub is good,
And the bunks are clean
For I’ve fished a lifetime,
Boy and man
And this final trawl
Scarcely makes a cran.
And it’s been three long years
Since we made her pay
And we can’t get by
On the subsidy
Sing haul away, my laddie-o.