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