Final Trawl - Archie Fisher

It’s been three long years

Since we made her pay,

Sing, haul away, my laddie-o

And we can’t get by on the subsidy,

Sing haul away, my laddie-o

So now you heave away,

For the final trawl

Sing haul away, my laddie-o

It’s an easy pull

For the catch is small

Sing haul away, my laddie-o.

And then you take your gear, lad,

And batten down,

And I’ll taker her wheel, lad,

And turn her 'round.

And then we’ll join the 'Venture'

And the 'Morning Star'

Riding high and empty

Towards the bar.

For I’d rather beach her

On the Skerry rock

Than to see her torched

In the breakers dock

Then when I die,

You can stow me down

In her rusty hold

Where the breakers sound

And then I’ll make the haven

Of Fiddler’s Green

Where the grub is good,

And the bunks are clean

For I’ve fished a lifetime,

Boy and man

And this final trawl

Scarcely makes a cran.

And it’s been three long years

Since we made her pay

And we can’t get by

On the subsidy

Sing haul away, my laddie-o.