Boots by the hob and gob on the grate
Father waiting with his pipe in his hand
He blew me upstairs with his reprimand

One fine day I was out all night
There he was gone, it gave me a fright
I went out looking in my little boat
So full of hope it could hardly float

Following in fathers footsteps
down the line, down the line

I came to an island, the shape of a cross
It had to be my mother's, she met me with a kiss
She said, You're looking thin (I was feeling fat)
And no girl's gonna look at you with shoes like that

Wishes are sharks if troubles are a sea
She arms herself with another pot of tea
A long long time she's been marooned
Dishing up her love with serving spoons

Following in father's footsteps
down the line, all down the line

I found him in the end, years down the roads,
Rowing home without any load
Why has your hair gone so white I? I cried
And have you brought us gifts from the world so wide?

A finger to his lips, he took me aside
He looked like a man with something to hide, he said
All I ever got from following my wish
Was a wet arse and not a lot of fish

Somewhere in his mind he's waiting up for me
Like a fisherman whose sons have run away to sea
Sometimes the lines get slack, so it's
High time I covered up my tracks

Following in father's footsteps
down the line, all down the line