I have been since seventeen a shipwreck balladeer 

Tragedy and misery are what makes my career 

Watery graves are my stock and trade, but it's getting harder 

For all the boats that now do float are returning safely to the harbour 



There hasn't been a shipwreck scene since 1965 

And I find I cry each time a crew returns alive 

I only cheer when gales appear and threaten fresh disaster 

They pass by, the boat survives, only my career's in tatters 



They're building ships too good today, and I'm the one who suffers 

They don't get rent from aft to stern and their halls never rupture 

Not dashed on rocks and never tossed to heaven on a wave 

You may think it well and good but my livelihood sails away 



There once were found, twenty in town, who wrote about shipwrecks 

When boats sank lots, just like rocks, 'twas good as it gets 

But the golden ages passed away and I'm barely survivin' 

The balladeers are dead I fear and workin' in advertisin' 



They're building ships too good today and it's hurtin' me 

Why can't even one poor soul fall into the dark sea 

And be ripped apart by hungry sharks in a bloody spree 

You may think it well and good, but my livelihood sails away 



Oh the only tragedy left to sing about is me 



That government bastard's been sent to take my job from me 

That inspector's making sure the ships are seaworthy 

He can try, no way will I ever give up hope 

When he went by, I did pry a big hole in his boat 



They're building ships too good today, so I helped one along 

How sweet it is to once again hear the tortured song 

Of a man afloat a sinking boat, who knows he will die today 

You might think it bad not good, but my livelihood's here to stay 

It's here to staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay