When I first saw the child brides
Two bridegroom boys at their side
Genevieve in union with holy communion
Marriage the younger wife

And the child brides went down to the water
Neptune calls out to his daughters
Throw yourself at the tide
I'll see you on the other side

In a loveless marriage when I was fourteen
All brained knees and black knees
Then you come round here
with your fancy talk and your big ideas
What have you done with your wives?

And the child brides went down to the water
Neptune calls out to his daughters
Throw yourself at the tide
I'll see you on the other side

Bride of Christ, bride of Jesus
Bride of the fish when your fathoms down
And the uncles and the brothers
With their Sunday suits on

Search the villages and towns
But the child brides, etc