[ Featuring Charlie Waller, the Country Gentlemen ]
[G] The boats were all set to depart
The crews mend the nets for the [D] journey
One [G] last kiss from sweethearts and [C] wives
Who were [D] left standing there by the [G] sea.
[G] One young wife with tears in her eyes
Who had only a short time been [D] wed
But with [G] others she waited re [C] turn
Of her [D] husband the fisherman [G] Ned.
[G] She watched the small boats where they sailed
Just a spec on the distant ho [D] rizon
Then she [G] turned her weary foot [C] home
For she [D] knew that the night would soon [G] come.
[G] How [C] empty the [G] village would [D] be
How [G] lonely the fisherman's [D] wife
For [G] this was Ned's first trip to [C] sea
Since she'd [D] moved to the village his [G] wife.
[G] Some days now have passed since they've gone
Was time to return to the [D] harbor
The [G] women and children were [C] there
With [D] laughter and hearts all a [G] stir.
[G] And soon there were cries of delight
From the lips of the ones who were [D] gathered
A [G] pointed white sail had been [C] seen
They were [D] welcomed and hailed as they [G] neared.
[G] And then came a sign of despair
For the sight of the boats they had [D] yearned
They [G] all knew that fifteen had [C] left
But [D] only fourteen had re [G] turned.
[G] There [C] Grace so [G] torn could not [D] see
Was [G] Ned's boat that could not be [D] found
The [G] others trekked back to their [C] homes
While [D] Grace knelt there on the [G] ground.
[G] The story was told of the wind
And the storm how the one boat was [D] swept
How the [G] men had been lost in the [C] night
Then the [D] whole village silently [G] wept.
The [C] village still [G] tells how for [D] years
The [G] young fisherwoman and [D] bride
Had [G] watched for a boat to come [C] in
Each [D] day by the lonely sea [G] side.
