I originally got this song from local singer Dick Holdstock. When I contacted author Bill Meek (via John Conolly) to get his permission to record he sent me a lyric sheet which was a bit different from what I had learned. I had glanced at it and thought that I had the correct lyrics probably based on looking at the first two verses but Bill often re-visits his songs and re-writes words and phrases so I'm not sure at this point which set of lyrics came first. Here are the lyrics Bill Meek sent to me followed by what I am singing:

TIME ASHORE IS OVER
Words and music by Bill Meek

I'm standing on the dockside wall
Ch: Sailing on the evening tide
Waiting for the skipper's call
Ch: Time ashore, bright hours ashore
Ch: Time ashore is over

And Sally's watching as I go
Tearfilled eyes, two kids in tow

But what of her when I'm Iceland bound?
Will she be true or gad around?

For I can't recall when she was mine
For more than three days at a time

I'll think of her when the nets go out
Me heart is sure but me head's in doubt

For when you're trapped on the northern sea
It's a thousand miles of uncertainty

Better men that I have lost their all
Through following this cursed trawl


TIME ASHORE IS OVER
As sung by R. Adrianowicz

I am standing on the dockyard wall
Ch: Sailing on the evening tide
Waiting for the skipper's call
Ch: Time ashore, bright hours ashore
Ch: Time ashore is over

Sally watching as I go
Tear filled eyes, two kids in tow

And what of her when we're outward bound
Will she be true or gad around

I can't recall when she was mine
For more than two days at a time

When you're out on the northern sea
It's a thousand miles of uncertainty

I think of her when the nets go out
My heart is sure but my head's in doubt

Life or love I could lose it all
For following this cursed trawl

Bill Meek's notes from his lyric sheet: I wrote this "shanty" for the Fishing Heritage Centre production Here's to the Grimsby Lads. Once at sea, fishermen were a world away from wives and families, and just like those back home, they too had their worries.

Radriano