We used to play down by the water when the spring was in the tide
And there was me and Cat McCluskey and we ran down side, by side
Those games and sweet collisions led to kisses like wet sand
Well, I tried to hold the spring tide back, too young to understand

Sail, sail on by, over the deep dark ocean
Till the day I die let the ocean carry me

In time I stood beside the harbour just to watch the gulls in flight
And there were girls so full of summer that they couldn't sleep at night
They moved so ripe and careless, how they let their shadows fall
I closed my eyes against the sun, or I couldn't see at all

Sail, sail on by, over the deep dark ocean
Till the day I die let the motion carry me

The northeast wind is blowing stronger, the days are getting short
The summer boats have turned their heads round, they're running home to port
You'd keep me if you could, my Love, you'd keep the world from harm
On empty sands we walk and walk together, arm in arm

Sail, sail on by, over the deep dark ocean
Till the day I die let the motion carry me
Sail, sail on by, over the deep dark ocean
Till the day I die let the motion carry me
Let the motion carry me.