It's of a fair and handsome girl, she's all in her tender years
She fell in love with a sailor boy and it's true that she loved him well
For to go off to sea with him, like she did not know how,
She longed to see that seaport town, called Canadee-I-O.
So she bargained with a young sailor boy, it's all for a piece of gold
Straighway he led her all down into the hold
Saying I'll dress you up in sailor's clothes, your jacket shall be blue,
You'll see that seaport town, called Canadee-I-O.
Now, when the other sailors heard the news, they fell into a rage,
And with all the whole ship's company, they were willing to engage,
Saying "We'll tie her hands and feet me boys, overboard we'll throw her
And she'll never see that seaport town, called Canadee-I-O."
Now, when the captain he's heard the news, well he too fell into a rage,
And with his whole ship's company he was willing to engage,
Saying "She'll stay all in sailor's clothes, her collar shall be blue,
She'll see that seaport town, called Canadee-I-O."
Now when they came down to Canada, scarcely above half a year,
She's married this bold captain, who called her his dear,
She's dressed in silks and satins now, and she cuts a gallant show
She's the finest of the ladies down in Canadee-I-O.
Come all you fair and tender girls, wheresoever you may be,
I'd have you follow your own true love when he goes out on the sea,
For if the sailors prove false to you, well the captain he might prove true,
To see the honour that I have gained by the wearing of the blue.