Three fishers went sailing away to the West,
Away to the West as the sun went down;
Each thought on the woman who loved him the best;
And the children stood watching them out of the town;
For men must work, and women must weep,
And there's little to earn, and many to keep,
Though the harbor bar be moaning.

This poignant extract from Charles Kingsley's poem "The Three Fishers" succinctly captures the harsh realities faced by working-class families. The image of fishermen setting sail as the sun sets evokes a sense of both duty and impending danger. Each man's thoughts drift to the woman he loves, highlighting the personal sacrifices entwined with their labor. Meanwhile, children watch their fathers leave, underscoring the familial bonds and responsibilities that necessitate such toils. The refrain "For men must work, and women must weep" starkly encapsulates the gendered division of labor, where men endure physical hardship while women bear emotional burdens. The line "And there's little to earn, and many to keep" further emphasizes the struggle to provide for one's family despite limited means. This verse highlights the universal challenges of economic survival, transcending class boundaries, as indicated by "Though the harbor bar be moaning," suggesting nature's indifference to human struggles. Overall, Kingsley's poem is a melancholic reflection on the inevitability of labor and loss, resonating deeply with the working-class experience of his time.