There once was a captain who sailed the far seas
singing when the light grew dim
daring the sea who never could claim him
and,  knowing some day it should take him

One year as he traveled the cold of the north
singing when the light grew dim
as the boat rocked in a rhythm of rage
and,  knowing some day it should take him

The wind grew greater buffeting the boat
singing when the light grew dim
he cursed the insufferable storm
and,  knowing some day it should take him

Captain and crew refrained from the harbor
singing when the light grew dim
  knowing that it was not safe tonight
and,  knowing some day it should take him

below deck the captains own daughter was ill
singing when the light grew dim
the captain knew she needed to port
and,  knowing some day it should take him

he went to his crew and praised them all too
singing when the light grew dim
he told them his plan as their work began
and,  knowing some day it should take him

he tilted his prow to the inlets old mouth
singing when the light grew dim
aiming it true as he alone could do
and,  knowing some day it should take him

if anyone mastered these treacherous straights
singing when the light grew dim
this captain would sail through the rough surf
and,  knowing some day it should take him

he held the path firm as the hull seemed to yearn
singing when the light grew dim
challenging , he the gods and the sea
and,  knowing some day it should take him

as the light now fades and the rockin' shoal nears
singing when the light grew dim
as death seems near to captain and kin
and,  knowing some day it should take him