Uploaded February 2012 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Although popularized by the Beach Boys (who left out parts) this traditional ballad actually tells a story! Performed in the Bight of Acklins, Bahamas.
Although popularized by the Beach Boys (who left out parts) this traditional ballad actually tells a story! Performed in the Bight of Acklins, Bahamas.



![Annes Lament
In honor of Anne G. Wood, on the occasion of her 95th birthday.
. . . . . . .
[D]Who is the [Bm]gentleman that [G]sits by my [D]bed?
He says that he [A7]knows me so [D]well.
But Im certain that [Bm]Ive never [G]seen him be[D]fore,
Though somehow his [A7]face rings a [D]bell.
Hes [G]showing me pictures and [D]telling me [D7]lies,
But theres [G]someplace that Id rather be.[D] [A7]
So [D]I drift [Bm]away to the [G]sound of his [D]voice,
I want to go [A7]down to the [D]sea.
I wish that our Patrick would hurry back home.
Hes been away such a long time.
For he had to go, stop Hitler, you know.
Hes somewhere on the front line.
But Ill keep the flame burning bright in the hearth
While he fights to keep us all free.
Hell come back from the war, and buy a new car,
And hell chauffeur me down to the sea.
Ill put on my best Sunday dress for the day,
Bright ribbons to tie up my hair,
And Ill wait by the gate for me mother to come.
All the longing is so hard to bear.
Well build castles so high, that theyll reach to the sky;
And the ice cream will all be for free;
And well dance in the sand to an old-time brass band.
I want to go down to the sea.
Now I sit all alone at the end of the room,
And gaze out the window all day.
For I know that me father will be coming soon,
He promised to take me away.
And sometimes I cry over nothing at all,
Still nobody listens to me.
When I close my eyes, I can hear the gulls call.
I want to go down to the sea Annes Lament](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sz6ICj1VFJ4/mqdefault.jpg)






