Lyrics by Paul Gray

I gave up the sea, for my wife of one year
The murmurings of my mind, soon fell on deaf ears
She said to stay wed, to sea I must embark
We could be together, as long as we’re apart

It’s deep and it’s cold
It’s hard, bleak and fraught
It’s rough and it’s wild
In this station I’ve wrought
Not the home that I want
On this ship that I serve
But the home that I’ve got
It’s the one I deserve.
I deserve the sea
I hope to God it won’t be long
Don’t pity this sailor, I’m where I belong
I deserve the sea

Life on land is idle, charming and easy
A jack ashore is snared by the drink completely
He’s best underway when forced to work and strive
Toil on the sea is all that’s kept me alive

It’s deep and it’s cold
It’s hard, bleak and fraught
It’s rough and it’s wild
In this station I’ve wrought
Not the home that I want
On this ship that I serve
But the home that I’ve got
It’s the one I deserve.
I deserve the sea
I hope to God it won’t be long
Don’t pity this sailor, I’m where I belong
I deserve the sea

A tempest was blowing great guns and small arms
I prayed for preservation from the mighty storm
I’s afeared that soon, I would reap what I’d sown
The decks we’re all awash, then o’erboard I was thrown

It’s deep and it’s cold
It’s hard, bleak and fraught
It’s rough and it’s wild
In this station I’ve wrought
Not the home that I want
On this ship that I serve
But the home that I’ve got
It’s the one I deserve.
I deserve the sea
I hope to God it won’t be long
Don’t pity this sailor, I’m where I belong
I deserve the sea