Outer banks of North Carolina
Lies a sleepy harbor town
Generations of old sailors
Dropped their sails and settled down
Sam, he is a young seafarer
Grandson of a schooner man
Catherine is a sailmaker's daughter
Today he's gonna take her hand

Calm waters
Wish them well
His ship's come in
She's put the wind in his sails

Catherine is a canvas painter
Paints the sun and sand and sea
Lately she's been painting a portrait
Sammy is a dad to be

Calm waters
Wish them well
His ship's come in
She's put the wind in his sails

January brought the fever
Sam was right there by her side
Doctor told him son I'm sorry
But Catherine needs your prayers tonight
Morning light brought Sam a daughter
Fever took his better half
Sam gave Catherine to the water
As he held their baby to his chest

Calm waters
Wished him well
His ship came in
But she took the wind from his sails

His ship came in
But she took the wind from his sails