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)