Oh, No More

Years ago when I was young
I cast my nets into the sun
And with my father's hands upon my shoulder
Hauled them home
The nets moved like a living thing
All from the codfish held within
And homeward bound we'd laugh and sing
An honest man's work done
We'd throw our fortunes to the wind
But now we'll just remember when

(There were) lots of fish in Bonavist Harbour
Oh, no more
Lots of fishing in around here
Oh, no more
We'd throw our fortunes to the wind
Me boys we'll not do that again
Oh, no more

The sea had turned my father's eyes
A blue much deeper than the skies
That granted us our daily prize
King Cod, in all his glory
And like my father I grew strong
And proud I was to carry on
For in his footsteps I belonged
Ah, but that's another story
For times change faster than the wind
And now we just remember when

Jack was every inch a sailor
Oh, no more
Four and twenty years a whaler
Oh, no more
For times change faster than the wind
Me boys we won't fish here again
Oh, no more

My father's eyes are still as blue
But his hands are softer than I knew
There's nothing much for him to do
But smoke and drink and remember
And every day I sit and face
The spectre of my father's face
Dying at an icebound pace
His heart and soul, December
He'd give his life to ride the wind
Instead we just remember when

Lukey's boat was painted green
Oh, no more
Finest boat you've ever seen
Oh, no more
I was the boy who built the boats
Oh, no more
I was the boy who sailed them
Oh, no more
I'd give my life to ride the wind
And to be fishing once again
Oh, no more, Oh, no more,
Oh, no more...