It being on one winter's evening as I lay
down to sleep
I heard a child about three years old
on his mother's breast did weep
Saying once I had a father dear who would
me fond embrace
And if he was here he'd dry those tears
rolls down my mother's face
Why don't my father's ship return oh mother
tell me why
Why don't my father's ship return why
do you weep and cry
All other ships are coming in parting
their white wave foam
Now why don't my father's ship return
or why don't he come home
Oh the ocean is deep and fathomous it do
his death restore
The ocean is deep and fathomous we will
ne'er see him no more
Your father's ship my gentle boy lies
under neath the wave
Where cannons roar and bullets fly o'er
your dear father's grave
Right well I do remember when he took his
boat away
With colours red and white sails spread
o'er the salt summer sea
Oh mother I think I can see him now waving
his hat in hand
And those words he said God bless ye both
as he sailed from the land
Right well I do remember when he nursed
me on his knee
He gave to me the fruit that grows on
the far India tree
Now you are the fruits of my first love
I will hold you to my side
The son and mother both lay down the son
and mother died