The Woman and the Bell

«Captain, if it’s all the same to you
Let me ready a lifeboat»
«Sorry, son, though your heart may be true
You’d best get it stoutened or I’ll run it through
Here’s a sip to wash the wicked words back down your throat
I know my ship, my catch, and my men
And I know what you think you’ve seen—»
«Captain, you may well take offense
But something has to be done nonetheless
Or it’s off to Davy’s Locker for to calm the sea
Sir, it’s angry, you’re not listening, I saw a woman, I heard a bell
Captain, the rum welling up in your eyes
Will chase neither care nor curse»
«Nor will abstinence, son, for my fertile mind bore this ghost
Of the true love that I’ve left behind, and you’ll make her haunt
No lifeboat while I’m gone from her
I hear the peal of our wedding bells
Many miles away and months from now»
«Captain, if you can’t but do well by a phantom future, you’re destined
To dwell and weep and gnash your teeth with all the rightly drowned
Sir, I’m fighting for a home on the Fiddler’s Green
Not for a woman and a bell
Captain, the sea took your ship, catch, and men
Left you, me, and this lifeboat»
«Sorry, son, you’re dead wrong again
I’ll sail on with only the love you condemn
Having offered up your weak heart for a safe trip home»