When The Children Are Asleep

I own a little house and I sail a little boat
And the fish I catch I sell
And in a manner of speakin'
"I'm doin' very well."
I love a little girl and she's in love with me
And soon she'll be my bride
And in a manner of speakin'
I should be satisfied
Well, ain't you?

If I told you my plans and the things I intend
It'll make ev'ry curl on your head stand on it
When I make enough money outa one of my boat
I'll put all of my money in another little boat
I'll make twice as much outa two little boats
An' the first thing you know, I'll have four little boats
Then eight little boats, then a plenty little boats
Then a great big fleet of great big boats
All catchin' herring, bringin' into shore
Sailin' out again, an' bringin' more
An' more, an' more, an' more!

Who's gonna eat all that herring?

They ain't gonna be herring. I'm gonna put 'em in cans
An' call 'em sardines. Aha. Gonna build a little sardine
Cannery. Then a big one, then the biggest one in the whole
Country. Oh, Carrie, I'm gonna get rich on sardines. Ah!
I mean, we're gonna get rich. You an' me an' all of us.

The first year we're married
We'll have one little kid
The second year we're goin'
Have another little kid
You'll soon be donnin' socks
For eight little feet.

I am not enough to another fleet!
We'll build a lot more rooms
Our dear little house will get bigger
Our dear little house will get bigger
An' so will my figure!

Oh Carrie, can you imagine how it'll be when all the little
Kids are upstairs in their beds, and you and me sit alone
By the firelight. Me in my armchair, and you on my knee-
Maybe. Maybe.

When the children are asleep we sit and dream
The things that every other dad and mother dream
When the children are asleep and lights are low
If I still love you the way I love you today
You'll pardon my sayin', I told you so...
When the children are asleep, I'll dream with you
We'll think what fun we have had and be glad
That it's all came true.

When the children are asleep we sit and dream
Dream all alone
The things that every other dad and mother dream
Dreams that won't be interrupted
When the children are asleep and lights are low.

Hold and behold, If I still love you
The way I love you today
You'll pardon my sayin', I told you so
When the children are asleep, I'll dream with you.

You'll dream with me
We'll think what fun we have had and be glad
That it's all came true!

When today is a long time ago
You'll still hear me say
That the best dream I know is you
When the children are asleep I dream with you!