When a Love is true (© Jim Hanlon)

It was a cold and grey December night as they made the out port town
Time enough to tie her lines when the wind did come around
It bore down now from the northeast head gaining strength from open bay
All hands were glad to be battened down safe from the breakers rage

Now the skipper's name was Jacob Long and a goodly man was he
So the crew all knew before they asked what Jacob's word would be
For a night on sure would be just reward after six long weeks at sea
So with a jar of rum and a hard days pay Jacob granted leave.

The crew all knew the story well of Jacob's painful past
All of the maiden sweet and fair his first love and his last
All of the cruel father who did steal his love away
To a hidden town along a shore with an unforgiving bay

Jacob he always stood the watch he seldom went a shore
So the crew this night did find it all as he made the galley door
He was cleanly shaved and neatly dressed a sparkle lit his eye
He said I've seen this place within a dream it's here my love I'll find

If you believe in destiny if you believe in love
If you believe in miracles and the good Lord up above
If you believe within your heart as only lovers do
A love will know no obstacle when a love is true

They made their way into the night through the bitter winter squall
Jacob led them like a man possessed to a tiny parish hall
Where the town folk all did dance and sing sweet fiddles filled the air
No mortal reason can explain what all did witness there

For the inside the tiny hall stood Jacob's maiden fair
Into each others arms they ran both lost to joyful tears
And at the very moment they embraced as two lost hearts were found
The winter sky grew clear and still or the tiny out port town

If you believe in destiny if you believe in love
If you believe in miracles and the good Lord up above
If you believe within your heart as only lovers do
A love will know no obstacle when a love is true