There is a beautiful Irish ballad called “The Voyage” that is almost always played at wedding anniversary parties in Ireland. When I was young, free and single I never understood why the forty-somethings would get teary-eyed when this song was played. Now that I’m rapidly approaching that age myself, with kids and husband in tow, I get it. This song celebrates the journey that two people who have “coupled their fate” make together and the steadfast determination that it takes to continue when times get tough. To me, this song tells the life-story of those of us married-with-kids.

Here are the songs lyrics. There is a video of Christy Moore, a wonderful Irish singer, performing the song at the end of the blog.

The Voyage

I am a sailor, you’re my first mate

We signed on together, we coupled our fate

Hauled up our anchor, determined not to fail

For the hearts treasure, together we set sail

With no maps to guide us we steered our own course

Rode out the storms when the winds were gale force

Sat out the doldrums in patience and hope

Working together we learned how to cope

***
Life is an ocean and love is a boat

In troubled water that keeps us afloat

(As a mother of four, I always get a bit misty-eyed when I hear these two lines.)

When we started the voyage, there was just me and you

Now gathered round us, we have our own crew

***

Together we’re in this relationship

We built it with care to last the whole trip

Our true destination’s not marked on any charts

We’re navigating to the shores of the heart