A sailor stepped off of his boat and onto the shore
He walked through the sand and the seaweed right up to my door
He could see my face through the window
Before I remembered to hide
There was nothing to do, but invite the sailor inside
He took off his shoes and sat down at the foot of my bed
I offered him tea, but he wanted my best wine instead
He said "We've many hours before sunrise
And I've a great notion to dance"
I had nothing to lose, so I offered the sailor my hands
A robin flies south for the winter
As sure as leaves fall from the trees
Now and again he may linger
But a sailor returns to the sea
A sailor returns to the sea
He stayed till the dawn came to summon him back to his boat
And I knew he was eager to sail, so I let him go
For I'd seen the fire in his blue eyes
When he spoke of the water and wind
And I knew in my bones, I would dance with the sailor again
A robin flies south for the winter
As sure as leaves fall from the trees
Now and again he may linger
But a sailor returns to the sea
A sailor returns to the sea
Then the sailor stepped into his shoes and out of the door
He walked through his washed away footprints away from my shore
I could see his face through the window
As he turned with the tides in his eyes
There was nothing to do, but to bid the sailor goodbye
Now I try not to watch the horizon
It won't bring him back faster to me
And I've plenty to do, besides look for his sails on the sea
A robin flies south for the winter
As sure as leaves fall from the trees
Now and again he may linger
But a sailor returns to the sea
A sailor returns to the sea
To the sea