I'm leaving the fishin' the life I have known The battle with nature that nobody's won The fish stocks are dwindlin' and the shoals hard to find I'm leaving the fishin' I've made up my mind.
My father worked drifters my grandfather the tae Ma brother's a skipper on the Elena Mae And a worked at the fishin' just as soon as I could So leavin's no easy the sea's in my blood.
Chorus: Farewell tae the haven my heart it is sad The drifters I'm leavin' tae work on the land.
I'll miss the wee boats though my thoughts are there yet Wi' the lads on the Jeannie haulin' the net We worked hard together and we laughed hard as well Cursin' the weather and ridin' the swell.
Chorus
I'll work in the wire-mill it's a good job they say I'll start and I'll finish the same time which day The money is constant and my wife she seems pleased But I'll miss the fishin' and I'll miss the sea.
Chorus
I'm leaving the fishin' the life I have known The battle with nature that nobody's won The fish stocks are dwindlin' and the shoals hard to find I'm leaving the fishin' I've made up my mind.