When Last I Was A Fisherman Lyrics - Jane Siberry

When last I was a fisherman 

I'd watch the storms rise up from the sea 

And see it as a sign to me 

That the sea was still my mistress and teasing me for love 

When last I was a fisherman I'd watch the whale fish blow 

And rise up from the darkest deep real slow 

And see it as a sign to me 

That she was still my mistress and teasing me for love 

I never knew why she loved me 

I never tried for her favor 

I wouldn't have known how 

I wouldn't have known how 

And I didn't have the know how 

To heel and toe her, heel and toe her 

I only knew that she was my mistress 

And teasing me for love 

When last I was a fisherman I lay along the sea wall 

My body pressed against the blue of her occupation elsewhere 

She was busy with the other boats 

But I knew she'd turn her belly back to me when she was free 

When last I was a fisherman I'd stand against the sea 

My skiff adrift in ecstasy the mast a-singing, the salt a-stinging 

I'd see it as a sign to me 

That she was still my mistress and just teasing me for love 

I never knew why she loved me 

When last I was a fisherman I lay awake one night 

Her cooing and raving nearby and I waited in youthful eagerness 

For the dawn's first hint of light for my mistress to come 

For she to come to me I knew she was coming 

I could feel her coming 

And I waited and I waited and I waited and I waited 

'Til I raised my voice unto the night and only heard a baby's cry 

I never knew why she loved me