in the building of the boat
perhaps a fatal flaw
and it catches in my throat
to think that I foresaw
it's an age-old story told
but I'll tell it once again
of a knot that slipped its hold
and a story has to end

in the building of the boat
perhaps a nail was bent
in the crossbeams set afloat
and by this an omen meant
in the naming of the trees
perhaps this one too young
made it weaken in the knees
and made it come undone

in the building of the boat
the tools lay side by side
joining tongue and groove
so smoothly it did glide
in the carving of the bow
in the likeness of a bird
as if it could sing now
everything I'd heard

in the building of the boat
there's always chance unseen
of the white squalls angry shoals
dark faces of the deep
curse the builder of this boat
curse him all to hell
but for an old man's salty hope
for I know he built it well

in the building of the boat
perhaps a fatal flaw