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 was spread around town
 Somebody 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 a picture-postcard
 Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyard
 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