we were far from the shores of england far from our children and wives to play our hand in the newfoundland where the wind cuts like a knife we were far from the shores of england we shipped on board the maryanne to find a better life and we walked across the water when she broke up on the ice we came ashore in carbonear with nothing but our rights and i wondered if i e er again would see my london lights we were far from the shores of england far from our children and wives to play our hand in the newfoundland where the wind cuts like a knife we were far from the shores of england we spend our days amid the waves working water hook and twine we go for weeks with blistered cheeks waiting for the sun to shine but as long as the sky hold over us we will not taste the brine and we ll curse the cod with the fear of god as we haul in every line we were far from the shores of england far from our children and wives to play our hand in the newfoundland where the wind cuts like a knife we were far from the shores of england far from our native soil to chase a wish and to hunt the fish and on the rocks to toil we were far from the shores of england  should we find fortune s favour and be spared from the gale we will live off honest labour with our hearts as big as sails if i should die don t bury me or leave me to the sea send my bones back to my home where my spirit can be free we were far from the shores of england far from our children and wives to play our hand in the newfoundland where the wind cuts like a knife we were far from the shores of england far from our native soil to chase a wish and to hunt the fish and on the rocks to toil we were far from the shores of england