The Woman and the Bell - Punch Brothers

«Captain, if it’s all the same to you

Let me ready a lifeboat»

«Sorry, son, though your heart may be true

You’d best get it stoutened or I’ll run it through

Here’s a sip to wash the wicked words back down your throat

I know my ship, my catch, and my men

And I know what you think you’ve seen—»

«Captain, you may well take offense

But something has to be done nonetheless

Or it’s off to Davy’s Locker for to calm the sea

Sir, it’s angry, you’re not listening, I saw a woman, I heard a bell

Captain, the rum welling up in your eyes

Will chase neither care nor curse»

«Nor will abstinence, son, for my fertile mind bore this ghost

Of the true love that I’ve left behind, and you’ll make her haunt

No lifeboat while I’m gone from her

I hear the peal of our wedding bells

Many miles away and months from now»

«Captain, if you can’t but do well by a phantom future, you’re destined

To dwell and weep and gnash your teeth with all the rightly drowned

Sir, I’m fighting for a home on the Fiddler’s Green

Not for a woman and a bell

Captain, the sea took your ship, catch, and men

Left you, me, and this lifeboat»

«Sorry, son, you’re dead wrong again

I’ll sail on with only the love you condemn

Having offered up your weak heart for a safe trip home»