From Liverpool to 'Frisco a-roving I went,
For to stay in that country was my good intent
But drinking strong whiskey like other damn fools
I was very soon shanghaied back to Liverpool

Singing roll, roll bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

I shipped in near Lasker lying out in the bay
We was waiting for a fair wind to get under way
The sailors on board they was all sick and sore
They'd drunk all their whiskey and could get no more

Singing roll, roll bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

One night off Cape Horn I will never forget
And it's oh, but a sigh when I think of it yet
We was goin' bows under the sails was all wet,
We was running twelve knots with the main sky sunset

Singing roll, roll bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

Well, along comes the mate in his jacket of blue
He's looking for work for them outlaws to do
And it's "Up top and higher!" he loudly does roar
And it's "Lay aloft Paddy. ye son of a whore."

Singing roll, roll bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

Well, now we are sailing down onto the line
When I think of it now, oh, we've had a hard time
The sailors box-hauling them yards all around
To catch that flash clipper the Thacker MacGowan

And roll, roll bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

Well, now we've arrived back in Bramley-Moore Dock
And all the flash judies to the pierhead do flock
Our barrel's run dry and me six quid advance
And I think it's high time for to get up and dance

Singing roll, roll bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

Here's a health to our captain where e'er he may be
He's a devil on land and a bucko at sea
But as for that first mate, the lousy ol' brute
We hope when he dies straight to hell he'll skyoot

Singing roll, roll bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!