I'm the son of the son of a sailor
And I spend all me time on the sea
On a tall clipper ship named the Rover
She's home to me shipmates and me
We've sailed her through all kinds of weather
Through waves that were high as the mast
And she brings us back safely to Ireland
To her home in the port of Belfast

And we'll drink to the health of the Rover
Likewise to the captain and crew
May kind Providence shine upon them
Whenever they're out on the blue

The good ship lies ready at anchor
We sail with the tide in the morn
Across the Atlantic to Boston
And to Frisco around by Cape Horn
Farewell and adieu to you Nancy
I'm off to the sea for awhile
And you are the one I will think on
Till I'm back in Paddy's green Isle

And we'll drink to the health of the Rover
Likewise to the captain and crew
May kind Providence shine upon them
Whenever they're out on the blue
We're now in full sail on the ocean
With the westerly wind blowing free
She cuts like a knife through the water
She rules every wave of the sea
She's the fastest tall clipper a'sailing
The pride of the carpentry line
Doing 17 knots in the voyage
She'll have you back home in fine time

And we'll drink to the health of the Rover
Likewise to the captain and crew
May kind Providence shine upon them
Whenever they're out on the blue

And now we are nearing old Ireland
For the harbor has come into sight
The lassies are all on the dockside
There'll be singing and dancing to night
We'll be drinking strong whiskey and porter
Till they carry us out through the door
And when we have spend all our money
We'll go back on the Rover once more

And we'll drink to the health of the Rover
Likewise to the captain and crew
May kind Providence shine upon them
Whenever they're out on the blue
And we'll drink to the health of the Rover
Likewise to the captain and crew
May kind Providence shine upon them
Whenever they're out on the blue