I awoke in the dusts of an autumn morning
Faces oil-lit kneeling round the family chairs
I never knew that a heart could take such filling

Spaces everywhere.

And the ship comes 'round

And she's waiting at the harbour
Be prepared to get on board, be prepared


I never knew that the light of ages
Breaks the way before us
Sail away, sail away


All the front doors opened and the men came walking
Suits and shoes, heads of silver and grey

It's one short road from a darkened cradle
To the endless light of day.


She walked like a bride down the aisle of her childhood
The shops, the schoolyard, the church on the hill
Where she trembled on the day

She was touched and broken
Marie was born again.


And the ship comes 'round
And she's waiting at the harbour
Be prepared to get on board, be prepared


I never knew that the light of ages
Breaks the way before us

Sail away, sail away

All ears to the trawler-band in the evenings

Forty crans and the spirits run wild
The storms, the drownings, the tables, the drinking
The sea had claimed their lives.


There's a peat smoke rising from the village chimneys
You take your chances with the red haired girl

All the boats take their rest in the heart of the harbour
That night in a changing world.


And the ship comes 'round
And she's waiting at the harbour
Be prepared to get on board, be prepared


I never knew that the light of ages
Breaks the way before us

Sail away, sail away