I've travelled about a bit in me time
Of troubles I've seen a few
I found it far better in every clime
To paddle me own canoe

Me wants they are small. I care not at all
Me debts they are paid when due
I drive away strife from the ocean of life
And paddle me own canoe

And I have no wife to bother me life
No lover to prove untrue
The whole day long I laugh with the song
And paddle me own canoe

So love everybody, trust only the few
As the world I go travelling through
And never sit down with a tear and a frown
But paddle your own canoe

I rise with the lark from daylight to dark
I do what I have to do
I'm careless in wealth. I've only me health
To paddle me own canoe

And I have no wife to bother me life
No lover to prove untrue
The whole day long I laugh with the song
And paddle me own canoe
It's all very well to depend on a friend
That is if you proved him true
You'll find it better by far in the end
To paddle your own canoe

To borrow is dearer by far than to buy
A saying though old still true
You never will sigh if you only will try
To paddle your own canoe

And I have no wife to bother me life
No lover to prove untrue
The whole day long I laugh with the song
And paddle me own canoe

Though England has ruled our small little land
And many's the country too
Just take my advice and never think twice
To paddle your own canoe

It's better I say to make your own way
As the world you go travelling through
You never will sigh if you only will try
To paddle your own canoe

And I have no wife to bother me life
No lover to prove untrue
The whole day long I laugh with the song
And paddle me own canoe