Farewell, my lovely Nancy, for I must now leave you
Onto the salt seas I am bound for to go
But let my long absence be no trouble to you
For I will return in the spring as you know

Like some pretty little sea boy, I will dress and go with you
In the deepest of dangers, I shall stand your friend
In the cold stormy weather when the winds, they are a-blowing
My love, I'll be willing to wait on you then

Your pretty little hands cannot handle our tackle
Your pretty little feet to our topmast can't go
And the cold stormy weather, love, you never could endure
Therefore, lovely Nancy, to the sea, do not go

Farewell, my lovely Nancy, for I must now leave you
Onto the salt seas I am bound for to go
But let my long absence be no trouble to you
For I will return in the spring as you know