As we were a-fishing off Haisborough light,
Shooting and hauling and trawling all night,

(Chorus)
It was windy old weather, stormy old weather,
When the wind blows, we all pull together.

We sighted a herring, the king of the sea,
Says "Now, old skipper, you cannot catch me."

We sighted a mackeral with stripes on his back,
"Time, now, old skipper, to shift your main tack."

We sighted a conger as long as a mile.
"Wind's blowing easterly," he said with a smile.

We sighted a plaice that had spots on his side,
Says "Now, old skipper, these seas you won't ride."

I think what the fishes are saying is right.
We'll haul in our nets and we'll make for the Light.

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Singing Together, Autumn 1973, BBC Publications

Notes:
The VMRL identifies a version sung by Harry Cox collected by Peter Kennedy in Norfolk.

Roud: 472 (Search Roud index at VWML)
Laws:
Child: