It was of a fair and pretty girl, she was in her tender years
She dearly loved a sailor, it’s true she loved him well
But how to go to sea with him she did not likewise know
But she longed to see the seaport town called Canadee-io
She bargained with her young sailor lad all for a piece of gold
And straightaway he led her all down into the hold
I will dress you up in sailors’ clothes, your colour shall be blue
And you will see the seaport town called Canadee-i-o’
Now when the sailors heard of this they fell into a rage
And all the whole ship’s company was willing to engage
We’ll tie her hands and feet my boys and overboard will throw
She never will see the seaport town called Canadee-i-o
Now when the Captain heard of this, he too fell in a rage
Saying ‘If you hurt that fair maid, high-hanged you will be
I will dress her up in sailor’s clothes - the colour shall be blue
And she will see the seaport town called Canadee-i-o’
She had not been in Canada scarcely but half a year
She married this brave captain who called her his dear
She’s dressed in silks and satins fine, she cuts a gall-i-ant show
She’s the finest captain’s lady in Canadee-i-o
Now come all you fair and pretty maids wherever you may be
I will have you follow your true love when he goes out to sea
If the sailors they prove false to you, the captain he’ll prove true
You can see the honour that I have gained from wearing of the blue
If the sailors they prove false to you, the captain he’ll prove true
You can see the honour that I have gained from wearing of the blue
