Lyrics

You western ocean laborers, I'll have you all beware;

When you're working on a packet-ship, no dungaree oil skins wear.

But have a big monkey jacket all ready at your command,

And we’ll bid farewell to the virgin rocks on the banks of the Newfoundland.

Chorus:
We will rub around and scrub around, with holy stone and sand,
And we’ll bid farewell to the virgin rocks on the banks of the Newfoundland.



As I lay on my bunk one night a-dreaming all alone,

I dreamt I was in Liverpool, way up by Marylebone,

With my true love there beside of me, and a jug of ale in my hand,

Ah, but I woke quite brokenhearted by the banks of Newfoundland.

(Chorus)



We had one female passenger, Bridget Riley was her name,

She was fourteen years transported boys, for playing not the game.

But she tore up her flannel petticoats, to make mittens for our hands,

For she could not see the poor boys freeze on the banks of Newfoundland.



(Chorus)



And we're off Sandy Hook, me boys, and the land is all covered with snow.

The tug-boat tack up our hawser, and for New York will we tow;

And when we get to the Black Ball dock, all the boys and girls there will stand,

For if we are here we cannot be there on the banks of Newfoundland.



(Chorus 2x)