[Verse 1]
There’s tar on my hands and salt in my hair
And the wind has a mind of its own
We left with the dawn and a bottle to share
By dusk half the boys were gone
[Chorus]
Heave
Boys
Heave
For the widow at the harbor wall
Stomp hard
Breathe
Till the breakers drown the boatsmen’s call
Raise your roar
Like a storm that shakes the timber tall
Heave
Boys
Heave
For the widow at the harbor wall
[Verse 2]
We hauled black rope till our fingers split
Took a wave clear over the bow
The sea rolled dice and it never quit
It’s a mercy I’m singing now
[Chorus]
Heave
Boys
Heave
For the widow at the harbor wall
Stomp hard
Breathe
Till the breakers drown the boatsmen’s call
Raise your roar
Like a storm that shakes the timber tall
Heave
Boys
Heave
For the widow at the harbor wall
[Bridge]
[Voices drop to a low
Unison chant]
Name by name we count our dead
Jack and Tom and Brother Paul
Every footstep
Every tread
Beats its mark on the harbor wall (hey!)
[Chorus]
Heave
Boys
Heave
For the widow at the harbor wall
Stomp hard
Breathe
Till the breakers drown the boatsmen’s call
Raise your roar
So the lost can hear us through the squall
Heave
Boys
Heave
For the widow at the harbor wall