Is it worth it?   A new winter coat and shoes for the wife   And a bicycle on the boy's birthday   It's just a rumour that was spread around town   By the women and children; soon we'll be shipbuilding   Well, I ask you--the boy said,   'Dad they're going to take me to task   'But I'll be back by Christmas'   It's just a rumour that's spread around town   Someone said that someone got filled in   For saying that people get killed   In the result of this shipbuilding   With all the will in the world   Diving for dear life   When we could be diving for pearls   It's just a rumour that was spread around town   A telegram or picture postcard   Within weeks they'll be re-opening the ship yard   And notifying the next of kin once again   It's all we're skilled in, we will be shipbuilding   With all the will in the world   Diving for dear life   When we could be diving for pearls