I awakened at four On the water by daybreak The work is hard and wet The time has come to rest my weary bones But what do I do when this story ends Time and idle hands may be the death of me The yields have diminished And my crew is but me And as I pondered what came next I do what I do daily And seek refuge from my busy mind At a tavern on the water As I hoist my aging body from the boat I tie it to the mooring and climb up the ramp I hear familiar laughter and music in the air I belly up to the bar Here is my refuge from the toils of the day Many men jammed the little tavern Smelling of sweat whiskey and desperation The hearty laughter betrays the foreboding So we drink through our pain Of muscle gone too far in the day And wonder if this is all that there is A tavern on the water