Oh, the anchor is weighed, and the sails they are set.
Chorus: ‘Way, you Rio!
The girls that we're leaving we'll never forget,
Chorus: For we're bound to the Rio Grande,
And away, you Rio! ‘Way, you Rio!
The girls that we're leaving we'll never forget,
Chorus: For we're bound to the Rio Grande!

So goodbye to the ladies we know in this town:
We've left you enough to buy a silk gown.

We've a ship that is stout and a jolly good crew:
A brass-knuckled mate and a rough skipper, too.

We'll sell all our salt cod, molasses and rum
And get home again ‘fore Thanksgiving has come.

Sing goodbye to Elsie and goodbye to Sue;
And you who are listening, goodbye to you.

Our good ship's a-goin' out over the bar:
We'll point her nose for the southern star.