When the sun rises over the mountains
And my tears turn the colour of gold
Not even the blue of the ocean
Can compare to the shade of my soul
Every day, every night, I am crying
For my loved one has gone away
To faraway lands for the money
Had he stayed we might all have died

Many days, many weeks, many months now
And I haven't heard from him not a word
The waves toss me back many rumors
That my husband won't likely be back
Then one morning in the dead of winter
Wedged in the door a tattered old letter
It must have been left by a sailor
Who did good on a promise to honour

dearest wife dearest son dearest daughter
I am writing with the shakiest of hands
If you ever get this letter
Then I never have made it to land
When the sun rises over the mountains
And my tears turn the colour of gold
Not even the blue of the ocean
Can compare to the shade of my soul
Not even the blue of the ocean
Can compare to the shade of my soul