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'd make every curl on your head stand on end
Hm
When I make enough money out of one little boat
I'll put all my money in another little boat
I'll make twice as much outta two little boats
An' the first thing you know, I'll have four little boats
Then eight little boats
Then a fleet little boats
Then a great big fleet of great big boats
All catchin' herring, bringin' into shore
Sailin' out again, and bringin' in more
An' more, an' more, an' more!

Who's gonna eat all that herring?

Ain't gonna be herring
Oh?
Gonna put 'em in cans
An' call 'em 'Sardines'
Gonna build a little sardine cannery
Then a big one
Then the biggest one in the country
Oh, Carrie!
I'm gonna get rich on sardines
I mean, we're gonna get rich, you an' me
I mean, you an' me... then all of us

The first year we're married we'll have one little kid
The second year we'll go and have another little kid
You'll soon be donnin' socks for eight little feet

Are you building up 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!

Carrie, can you imagine how it'll be?
When all the little kids are upstairs in bed
And you and me sit alone by the fireside
Me in my armchair
You on my knee
Maybe?

Maybe

When the children are asleep we'll 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 all came true

When children are awake
Or romping through the rooms
Or running on the stairs
Then, in a manner of speaking
The house is really theirs

But, once they close their eyes
And we are left alone
And free from all their fuss
Then, in a manner of speaking
We can be really us

When the children are asleep we'll 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 (Lo and behold)
If I still love you the way I love you today
You'll pardon my saying, "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 all came true!

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