Lyrics

I am a sailor’s wife, girl
In Hartlepool I dwell
Me husband thinks I love him
And so might he well
But I just can’t stand his face
When he at home does stay
For the only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away.

Chorus
Oh when he is away, me lass
When he is away
The only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away
There’s nee comfort at home for me
While he does stay
The only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away

I’ll wave him off from the town wall
With a feigned tear in me eye
Then I’ll rush back in the Pot House
And drink the whole place dry
With all the girls around me
We’ll toast the sailing day
Cos’ the only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away. (Chorus)

I’ll get meself a fancy man
And with him I will ride
We’ll roll arm in arm all night
Until the morning tide
Cos’ me instrument it is me own
And with it I will play
The only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away. (Chorus)

For sly jobs I do fancy best
Like many sailor’s wives
Cos’ if we can’t enjoy ourselves
Then what good are our lives?
So here’s to the girls of Hartlepool
Who never rue the day
The only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away. (Chorus)