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)