Refrain:
Oh, farewell to Nova Scotia the seabound coast,
let your mountains dark and dreary be.
Oh when I’m dar away o’er the grimy ocean tossed,
will you ever hear a sigh or a wish for me.
I greave to leave my native land,
I greave to leave my comrads all
and my parents whom I held so dear
and the bonny, bonny lassie that I do adore.
Refrain
The drums do beat and the wars do alarm,
and the captain’s call we must obey.
So farewell, farewell to the Nova Scotia charms,
for it’s early in the morning and I’ll be far away.
Refrain
I have three brothers and they are at rest,
and their arms are folded on their breast,
but a poor simple sailor just like me
must be tossed and be driven on the dark blue sea.
Refrain