Shipwreck Balladeer

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 staaay