MacColl's Fisherman's Wife from Singing The Fishing
Jim Carroll

A the week your man's awa',            (All)
And a' the week you bide your lane. (live alone)
A the time you're waitin' for
The minute that he's comin' hame.    (home)
Ye ken whit wa' he has tae wark,    (You know the way)
Ye ken the hours he has tae keep—
And yet it mak's ye angry when
Ye see him just come hame to sleep.

Through the months and through the years
While you're bringing up the bairns. (Children)
Your man's awa' tae here and there
Following the shoals o' herrin's.
And when he's back there's nets tae mend,
You've mebbe got a score or twa;
And when they're done, he'll rise and say:
"Wife, it's time I was awa'."              (away)

Work and wait and dree your weird.    (reap what you sow)
Pin your faith on herrin' sales;
And oft-times lie awake at nicht
In fear and dread o' winter gales.
But men maun wark tae earn their breid        (must)
And men maun sweat tae gain their fee,
And fishermen will aye gang oot.        (always go out)
As lang as fish swim in the sea.