Traditional
I have sung this for about 40 years; can't remember where I learned t. The Boarding Party tracked it back through Robin Roberts who recorded it as "Love is Kind." It's also knows "Ee Awa," "Haul Awa" or possibly "I a bha," which Norman Kennedy says means "she that's gone" in Gaelic. Lucy Simpson gave me the "blessing" verse, which she made. I often sing this for my wife, Carol, when I'm touring alone.
Gordon – 12 string-guitar
O love is kind to the least of man
HIE AWA HIE AWA
Though he be but a drunken tar
HIE AWA HIE AWA
Far from land and the sight of man
O who will love the sailorman?
And awa and awa
HIE AWA, HIE AWA
And awa and awa
HIE AWA, HIE AWA
Take me to that star-eyed maid
O I was happy with her laid
In the comfort of her bed
There let me lie until I'm dead
Here's my blessing, let it be
May you love as she loved me
For live is kind to the least of men
Though he be but a drunken tar
Hie Awa is recorded on the album In Concert