Farewell Madras, farewell neckerchiefs,
Goodbye silk clothes, goodbye collar, darling.
Sweetheart of mine - li ka pati,
Alas, alas, it is for ever!
Repeat last two lines in each verse
Good day - Governor!
I've come to make a petition,
For you to give me authorization,
So as to keep my sweetheart here.
No! no! no! no! It is too late,
The ship is ready at the buoy,
No! no! no! no! It is too late,
At this very moment she's ready to sail.
Farewell Madras, farwell neckerchiefs,
Goodbye beads of gold, goodbye collars, darling,
Sweetheart of mine - li ka pati,
Alas, alas, it is for ever!
English translation