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's spread around town

Someone 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 picture postcard

Within weeks they'll be re-opening the ship yard

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