Key: C
Introduction: C F Em G C F Em G
C Em F G
The fishing boats rolled out across the dark green channel water
C Em F G
As they gather speed for Flanders, they cut their nets away
C Em F G
It's not herring they'll be pulling from the waters on this morning
C Em F C
But they'll reap a bitter harvest from the fires of Calais
C FEm G C FEm G
C Em F G
Twenty leagues from France I saw the amber soaked horizon
C Em F G
In our lee the cliffs of Dover fall beneath the channel waves
C Em F G
Where waters used to sing a song to soothe the hearts of fishers
C Em F C
Now we hear the rolling thunder from the fires of Calais
C FEm G C FEm G
C Em F G
As we pull in tight to shore, this armada bent on rescue
C Em F G
I could curse the men behind the desks who sell our lives this way
C Em F G
I never signed aboard to save them from this bloody lack of planning
C Em F C
That strands these fine young men beneath the fires of Calais
C FEm G C FEm G
C Em F G
On the beach allied confusion, will they stand or are they running
C Em F G
If it's run, where will they go to between the sea and the mêlée
C Em F G
On the flanks the troops advancing and with heavy guns they're firing
C Em F C
And not a mother's son could save them from the fires of Calais
C FEm G C FEm G
C Em F G
In scattered groups upon the shore, some look towards a safer harbour
C Em F G
Some fix their eyes upon the flames that turn night to day
C Em F G
Some yet standing bold and ready to stoutly guard the rear from Jerry
C Em F C
They'll need no flares to see him 'neath the fires of Calais
C FEm G C FEm G
C Em F G
I've fished these channel waters since I was man enough to face them
C Em F G
For the herring and the flounder I have often hauled away
C Em F G
But a catch like this I've never had in forty years of sailing
C Em F C
Saving Tommies as they flounder 'neath the fires of Calais
C FEm G C FEm G
C Em F G
The fishing boats rolled out across the dark green channel water
C Em F G
As they gather speed for Flanders, they cut their nets away
C Em F G
It's not herring they'll be pulling from the waters on this morning
C Em F C
They'll reap a bitter harvest from the fires of Calais
C FEm G C FEm G C FEm G C FEm G C