I have been since seventeen a shipwreck balladeer Tragedy and misery are what makes my career Watery graves are my stock and trade, but it's getting harder For all the boats that now do float are returning safely to the harbour There hasn't been a shipwreck scene since 1965 They're building ships too good today, and I'm the one who suffers They don't get rent from aft to stern and their hulls never rupture Not dashed on rocks and never tossed to heaven on a wave You may think it well and good but my livelihood sails away There once were found, twenty in town, who wrote about shipwrecks Oh the only tragedy left to sing about is me That government bastard's been sent to take my job from me It's here to stay. It's here to staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay