When last I was a fisherman
I'd watch the storms rise up from the sea
And see it as a sign to me
That the sea was still my mistress
And teasing me for love

When last I was a fisherman
I'd watch the whale-fish blow
And rise up from the darkest deep real slow
And see it as a sign to me
That she was still my mistress
And teasing me for love

I never knew why she loved me
I never tried for her favour
I wouldn't have known how
I wouldn't have known how
And I didn't have the know-how
To heel and toe her, heel and toe her
I only knew that she was my mistress
And teasing me for love

When last I was a fisherman
I lay along the sea wall
My body pressed against
The blue of her occupation elsewhere
She was busy with the other boats
But I knew she'd turn her belly back to me
When she was free

When last I was a fisherman
I'd stand against the sea
My skiff adrift in ecstasy
The mast a-singing, the salt a-stinging
I'd see it as a sign to me
That she was still my mistress
And just teasing me for love

I never knew why she loved me

When last I was a fisherman
I lay awake one night
Her cooing and raving nearby
And I waited in youthful eagerness
For the dawn's first hint of light
For my mistress to come
For she to come to me
I knew she was coming
I could feel her coming
And I waited and I waited
And I waited and I waited
'Til I raised my voice unto the night
And only heard a baby's cry

I never knew why she loved me