She came across the sea in a boat,
(a wooden boat, a rowing boat);
She came across the sea in a dove-grey cloak,
and she stood upon the sand in the rain.
She stepped across the grass,
(the wet grass, sodden grass),
Out from under the trees in a dove-grey cloak,
and I knew she was coming to me.
Up the path she came,
(that steep path, muddy path);
She trudged up the path in her dove-grey cloak,
and knocked at the knocker on the door.
They let her in, they took her cloak,
(that wet cloak, drenched cloak);
They gave her brandy by the open fire,
and then they sent for me.
They sent for me and I came,
(down the staircase, old oak staircase),
Across the floor to the open fire,
where she sat, waiting, for me.
And what were the feelings that tumbled through my breast?
(oh! proud breast, unforgiving breast!)
Would I turn her again from my door?
I knelt at her feet, and kissed her hand,
(and the tears coursed down my cheeks);
For she had gone because I sent her,
but she returned to the need in me.
