Faded flags waved in icy wind When his hand left my own A cold parade marching to the docks But I left my boy at home "Please have pity on the sailors" I asked the waves "have pity on the sailors" Sing old women sing your songs Let your voices sail on water May they find a favourable wind Sing old women sing Leather hands sewing cotton sails Oil heating on the stove He went away as they all go 'way As soon as they are grown And outside the ocean is awake The moon is rising and the ocean is awake Sing old women sing your songs Let your voices sail on water May they find a favourable wind Sing old women sing My son kneels down by his bed at night Outside the ocean cries He'll go away as they all go 'way There's ocean in his eyes "Please have pity on the sailors" Kneeling down he asks for pity on the sailors I have buried no remains The graveyard is empty The ocean has plenty What do I have left to show But an empty bed And a working stove Sing old women sing your songs Let your voices sail on water May they find a favourable wind Sing old women sing Sing old women sing Sing old women sing