Fisherman's Wife

MacColl-Traditional

A' the week your man's awa'

And a' the week you bide your lane

A' the time you're waiting for

The minute that he's comin' hame

Ye ken whit why he has tae work

Ye ken the hours he has tae keep

And yet it's making you angry when

Ye see him just come hame tae sleep

Through the months and through the years

While you're bringing up the bairns

Your man's awa' tae here and there

Followin' the shoals of herring

And when he's back there's nets tae mend

You've maybe got a score or twa

And when they're done he'll rise and say

Wife it's time I was awa'

Work and wait and dree your weird

Pin yer faith in herrin' sales

And oftimes lie awake at nicht

In fear and dread of winter gales

But men maun work tae earn their breid

And men maun sweat to gain their fee

And fishermen will aye gang oot

As long as fish swim in the sea

A' the week your man's awa'

And a' the week you bide your lane

A' the time you're waiting for

The minute that he's comin' hame

Ye ken whit why he has tae work

Ye ken the hours he has tae keep

And yet it's making you angry when

Ye see him just come hame tae sleep