It's a warning about a woman that lives in Canada named Matilda that seems to fixate on ruining sailor's lives. Although in every version I've heard, in the last part the ultimate line's first part ("Enough to make you cry") is repeated several times, although that apparently is not apart of the official lyrics. The singer got tempted by her and ended up ruining his life so much he committed suicide.
It's a warning about a woman that lives in Canada named Matilda that seems to fixate on ruining sailor's lives. Although in every version I've heard, in the last part the ultimate line's first part ("Enough to make you cry") is repeated several times, although that apparently is not apart of the official lyrics. The singer got tempted by her and ended up ruining his life so much he committed suicide.