O say was you ever in Rio Grande?

A-weigh, you Rio!

It's there that the river brings down golden sand

For we're bound for the Rio Grande

[Chorus]

And away, boys, away

A-weigh, you Rio!

It's fare-you-well my bonny young girls

And we're bound for the Rio Grande

It's fare well to you all the girls of the town

A-weigh, you Rio!

You got our half-pay for to keep you around

And we're bound for the Rio Grande!

[Chorus]

She's a deep water ship and a deep water crew

A-weigh, you Rio!

You can keep to the coast but we're damned if we do

And we're bound for the Rio Grande!

[Chorus]

We was sick of the beach when our money was gone

A-weigh, you Rio!

And sign in this packet to drive her along

And we're bound for the Rio Grande!

[Chorus]