Cruel

Cruel were my parents to tear my love from me,
Cruel was the press gang that took him off to sea,
Cruel was the little boat that rowed him from the strand,
And cruel was the big ship that took him from the land,

Haul away, boys, haul away,
Haul away, boys, haul away

Cruel was the water that ship it sailed upon,
Cruel was the fair wind for now my loves has gone,
Had you blown a roaring gale they'd have left him on dry land,
Where he would walk besides me and I would hold his hand,

Haul away boys, haul away,
Haul away boys, haul away.

The ring beneath my pillow is the ring he gave to me,
I'll wear it on my finger for all the world to see,
But cruel was the captain, the bosun and the men,
For they didn't care a farthing if I saw my love again,

Haul away, boys, haul away,
Haul away boys, haul away.