My sisters knew no mother's breast
My brothers knew no quiet rest
But we swam around the deep eddy
And played upon the cold green sea

On a whaling ship I stole
But they found me in the hold
I said, "I'm an orphan and hungry
Let me sail upon the cold green sea."

My own ship I soon gained
And great renown and fame
"A mighty captain," they called me,
"The man who tamed the cold green sea."

My ship's wheel is my betrothal ring
The gulls' cries are my church bell dings
My guests, the moon and stars and breeze
And my bride is the cold green sea

Through rich cities I have been
And the might of tyrants I have seen
But no wealth will do for me
My heart longs for the cold green sea

I fought demons from the deep
For each crewman I did weep
But I sail swift as a banshee
While married to the cold green sea

The brine fills my veins
Sirens carve up my weary brain
I fall below so fast and free
At last I join the cold green sea