Verse 1
’Twas On The Briny Ocean, On A Whale Ship I Did Go.
Oft' Times Thought Of Distant Friends, Oft' Times I Thought Of Home.
Rememb'ring Of My Youthful Days, It Grieves My Heart Full Sore
And Feign I Would Return Again To My Home Native Shore.
Verse 2
Though Dreary, Discontented, I Then Resolved To Go
My Fortunes On The Seas To Find, To Ease Me Of My Woe.
I Shipped Aboard A Whaleship To Sail Without Delay
To The Pacific Ocean, There For A While To Stay.
Verse 3
Through Dreary Storms And Tempest And Through Some Steady Gales
Around Cape Horn We Made Our Way On Lookout For Sperm Whales.
They Will Use You,They Will Rob You; Worse Than Any Slaves.
Before You Go A-Whaling, Boys, You Best Be In Your Graves.
Verse 4
If Ever I Return Again, A Solemn Vow I'll Make
I'll Never Go A-Whaling, My Liberty To Stay.
I'll Stay At Home Contented, Never Venture Far.
But The Pleasures Are But Few, My Boys, Far From Your Native Shore.
