Away-ay, boys, away-o!
Blow me down this Yangtse River,
Away, boys, lift and walk away!
My lotus lady, I'll see no more,
Ch: Away, boys, away-o!
Since I left her on the China shore,
Ch: Away, boys, lift and walk away!
When we first met, she was like a queen,
Prettiest little thing I'd ever seen
She'd flashing eyes and long black hair,
All I could do was stand and stare,
I bought her silks and a golden comb,
Trouble's over now, the anchor's home,
I blowed my silver for to win her,
Now there's nothing left but donkey's dinner,
We're homeward bound, cookie's in the galley,
Farewell, Young Moon, of the Yangtse Valley,
Words for one more old bold out-of-date air
O I'll never see my lotus lady more,
Away boys, walk away together!
Since I left her by the shore, the
China
shore,
Thrice again for luck and better weather!
Sweetest river flower, my Yangtse honey,
Walk away boys, walk away!
She was my good girl, she took my money,
Away boys, lift and walk away!
She spent my shining dollars like a queen,
Away boys, walk away together!
Her eye 'twas blacker than was ever seen,
Twice again for luck and better weather!
Sure I blowed my silver fortune for to win her,
Walk away boys, walk away!
And now there's nothing left but pork for dinner,
Away boys, lift and walk away!
To my beauty I bequeathed a golden comb,
Away boys, walk away together!
But trouble's over now the anchor's home.
Once again for luck and better weather!
We're bound afar and cookie's in the galley,
Walk away boys, walk away!
Fare thee well, young moon of all the Yangtse valley,
Away boys, lift and walk away!