It was down in yonder meadows I carelessly did stray
I beheld a lady fair all with a young sailor gay
He said My lovely Susan I soon will leave this shore
And cross the briny ocean in a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
Sailing off to China
In a man-of-war
Pretty Susan fell to weeping young sailor she did say
How can you be so venturesome to throw yourself away
'tis when I'm one and twenty I shall receive my store
Jolly sailor do not venture in a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
Sailing off to China
In a man-of-war
Oh Susan lovely Susan the truth I'll tell to you
The Chinese have insulted us old England knows it well
I may be crowned with laurels so like a jolly jack tar
I'll scale the walls of China in a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
Sailing off to China
In a man-of-war
Oh sailor do not venture far to face the proud Chinese
For they are just as treacherous as any Portuguese
And by some deadly dagger you will receive a scar
So turn your inclination from a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
Sailing off to China
In a man-of-war
Oh Susan lovely Susan the time will quickly pa**
So come down to the Ferry House to take a parting gla**
My ship-mates they are ready to row me from the shore
And it's off for England's glory in a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
Sailing off to China
In a man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
Sailing off to China
In a man-of-war
Then the sailor took his handkerchief and he tore it fair in two
Saying you keep half for in my dear and I'll keep half for you
And when the bullets surround me and the cannons loudly roar
I'll fight for fame and Susan in a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
In a British man-of-war
Sailing off to China
In a man-of-war