[Verse 1]
I thought I heard the captain say
"Pay me my money down
Tomorrow is our sailing day
Pay me my money down"

[Chorus]
Oh, pay me, oh, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down

[Verse 2]
Now, as soon as that boat was clear of the bar
Pay me my money down
He knocked me down with the end of a spar
Pay me my money down

[Chorus]
Oh, pay me, oh, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down

[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
I wish I was Mr. Howard's son
Pay me my money down
Sit in the house and drink good rum
Pay me my money down

[Chorus]
Oh, pay me, oh, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 4]
Well, I wish I was Mr. Steven's son
Pay me my money down
Sit on the bank and watch the work done
Pay me my money down

[Chorus]
Oh, pay me, oh, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down
Oh, pay me, oh, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down