The albatross once filled the skies Cormorants watched silent, from the shore These are echoes of times long ago There's nothing here for them any more
The coastline littered with sunken ships Villages full of ghosts Empty buildings and empty lives Where just the sea gulls act as hosts
Oceans away lads, Oceans away Out past the breakers and out to the sea Oceans away lads, Oceans away Out on the Ocean, where my soul is set free
The cod stocks have dwindled There was no need to stay There's no catch of the day, son From here to Gaspe'
The canneries shuttered The landscape has changed I may be a sailor But, my life's rearranged
Oceans away lads, Oceans away Out past the breakers and out to the sea Oceans away lads, Oceans away Out on the Ocean, where my soul is set free
The Grand Banks are empty Our boats are in hock There's nothing that grows here Except depression and rock
While others moved onward I'll stay 'till I'm dead Now, I feed off the tourists I work the casinos instead
Oceans away lads, Oceans away Out past the breakers and out to the sea Oceans away lads, Oceans away Out on the Ocean, where my soul is set free
The salt air still calls me The wind in my sails The sound of the rigging Heading off to Kinsale
The coastline is empty Where Ghost towns now stand It used to be vibrant But now just sea grass and sand
Oceans Away Lads, Oceans Away On out past the breakers, and out to the see Oceans away lads, Oceans Away I still am a sailor, and I always will be