Original lyrics
ENStolen from home, lost in the night
Taken by re to hasten their flight
And the rattle and creak of boards ‘neath their feet
Buried the scars underneath
But the sea is wide, they cannot forego it
And long, long is the tide that has taken thee
So sing them a boat song to carry them over
Sing them a boat song, return them unbroken
Pray keep them safe, let them be unafraid
For dark are the hearts that take them to their graves
Lost souls in the tide, they turn to the shore
Where wringing of hands plead for deliverance
And the sea is wide, they cannot forgo it
And long, long is the tide
That has taken thee, taken thee
So sing me a boat song, to carry me over
Who will replace this sailor boy when he goes?
His love still watches the tide for his return oh
For his return oh
