My ship was leaving 'Frisco. My gal was crying again
We past the place for tattooing. Uh, oh, I went and walked right in

Hey, mister, you've gotta help me. Hey, mister, make it fast
And on my arm put a picture, uh, oh, and make it last and last

With a ribbon (with a ribbon) and a heart (and a heart)
And an arrow (and an arrow) running through (running through)
And her name (and her name) in the middle (in the middle)
In the middle of a blue tattoo (blue tattoo)

Sailed to Polynesia with gals of beauty and charm
But you know what made me resist them? Uh, oh, the tattoo on my arm
Came back over the water. Saw my gal at the shore
Holding hands with a sailor, uh, oh, and on his arm he wore

Just a ribbon (just a ribbon) and a heart (and a heart)
And an arrow (and an arrow) running through (running through)
And her name (and her name) in the middle (in the middle)
In the middle of a blue tattoo (blue tattoo)

Went back to the tattoo shop in town at the end of the wharf
Said, "Mister, you've got to help me, uh, oh, and take the darn thing off."
He said, "Oh, sailor remember you told me make it fast
I made it just like you told me, uh, oh, it's gonna last and last."
With a ribbon (with a ribbon) and a heart (and a heart)
And an arrow (and an arrow) running through (running through)
And her name (and her name) in the middle (in the middle)
In the middle of a blue tattoo (blue tattoo)