The Child Brides

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.