Fare you well, my lovely Nancy for now I must leave you
Across the foreign ocean I am bound for to go
But let my long absence be no trouble to you
And I will return in the spring as you know

As a pretty little seaboy I will dress and go with you
In deepest of danger I will stand as your friend
In the cold stormy weather when the winds are all blowing
I will be willing to wait on you then

Your pretty little feet on our top mast can't go
And the cold stormy weather, love you can't well endure
I would have you ashore when the raging winds blow

So fare you well my lovely Nancy for now I must leave you
Across the foreign ocean I am bound for to go
But you must be safe love and loyal and constant
And I will return in the spring as you know