When first I landed in Liverpool I went upon a spree,
Me money at last I spent it fast, got drunk as drunk could be,
And when me money was all gone it was then I wanted more,
But a man must be blind to make up his mind to go to sea once more.

Chorus...

Once more, once more, once more me lads once more
A man must be blind to make up his mind to go to sea once more.

A Lime Street girl slewed up to me and offered me a bed.
When I awoke on the next day's morn with me watch and me money she'd fled,
And as I walked the streets around the whores they all did roar,
'There goes young Jack, the poor sailor lad who must go to sea once more'.

As I was walking down the street I met old Shallow Brown.
I asked him if he's take me in, he eyed me with a frown.
Says he 'last time you was paid off with me you chalked no score,
But I'll take a chance and I'll give an advance and I'll send you to sea once more'

He shipped me aboard of a whaling ship that was bound for arctic seas,
Where the cold winds blow in the frost and snow, and your ration of rum would freeze,
But worse to hear I'd no hard weather gear for I'd lost all me money ashore.
My God how I wished that I was dead and I'd go to sea no more.

So all you salt seafaring lads now listen to my song,
When you come off of them long, long trips, I pray you'll never go wrong.
Take my advice, drink no bad wine and take up with no whore,
But get married lads, have all night in and go to sea no more.