Shipbuilding

Is it worth it?,
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife,
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday,
It's just a rumour that was spread around town,
By the women and children,
Soon we'll be shipbuilding,

Well I ask you,
The boy said 'Dad they're going to take me to task',
'But I'll be back by Christmas',
It's just a rumour that was spread around town,
Somebody said that someone got filled in,
For saying that people get killed in,
The result of this shipbuilding,
With all the will in the world,
Diving for dear life,
When we could be diving for pearls.

It's just a rumour that was spread around town,
A telegram or a picture postcard,
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards,
And notifying the next of kin,
Once again.
It's all we're skilled in,
We will be shipbuilding,
With all the will in the world,
Diving for dear life,
When we could be diving for pearls.