Blue Boats of Essaouira

Dawn puts copper on the ramparts
I count the days in paint

They paint every boat the same blue here
So the sea will know its own
You went out from the deck in April
With your sleeves already rolled
Now I mend nets on the wet stone
With your father and the gulls
Every knot I tie is one day
Closer to your coming home

The wind still speaks in Spanish
Once it clears the northern wall

Blue boats of Essaouira (Essaouira)
Under the harbour lantern, tied
The one I love is working
On the water's other side

Hey, Essaouira
The water's other side

Your wages cross in envelopes
I bank them and I blush
They read the crew list Friday
And my name was not on it
A man who waits at home
Is not a man they hire
Your father heard and said nothing
Then I went back to the rope

December, you said December
It's marked on the wall in blue

Blue boats of Essaouira (Essaouira)
Under the harbour lantern, tied
The one I love is working
On the water's other side

There's a small hull in the yard
That nobody has asked about
I sand it by one lantern
After the others have gone home
Blue, like all her sisters
Your name is already at the bow

Blue boats of Essaouira (Essaouira)
Under the harbour lantern, tied
The one I love is coming home
Across the water's other side (coming home)

Rock easy, little sisters
She is coming with the fall
Blue boats of Essaouira