Here are the words as I remember them. The source is a book of Spanish or Italian songs for piano which I used a lot in the 60s. I couldn't find the book itself.

The day that I left my home for the rolling sea
I said, Mother dear, oh pray to thy God for me
And then I went a fond leave to take
Of Nina, who wept as though her poor heart would break.
Nina, if I should die and o'er ocean's foam
Swiftly to thee a white dove comes winging home
Open thy lattice, dearest, for it will be
My loving soul which, faithful, comes back to thee.
Oh, a life on the sea, singing joyous and free, Oh --
Ahh-ha ha ha ha, none are so gay as,
None are so gay as we!