[Verse 1]
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

[Verse 2]
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 was spread around town
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed in
The result of their shipbuilding

[Bridge]
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls

[Verse 3]
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
A telegram for a picture postcard
Within weeks they'll be reopening the shipyard
And notifying the next of kin once again
It's all we're skilled in
We will be shipbuilding
[Bridge/Outro]
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls