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