There sailed a brig, a thousand tons.
Yo! Heave, a-merrily, O !

She plied a-many-a merchant run.
Yo! Heave, a-merrily, O !

Her sextant set, the sea was fair.
She swept on out with ebbing tide.
The headsail turned to islands' lair.
Yo! Heave, a-merrily, O !

All aboard were seasoned salts.
Yo! Heave, a-merrily, O !

The Capt'n too all could exalt!
Yo! Heave, a merrily, O !

The brig was stanch as stanch could be.
But sea waves swirled as storm did rise.
A pounding was felt from a raging sea.
Yo! Ho, a-terribly, Oh !

The Capt'n fought with swelling pride.
Yo! Ho, a-terribly, Oh !

The fearless crew was at his side.
Yo! Heave, a-terribly, O !

But timbers groaned and cracked and creep'd,
As sweeping winds howled and laughed,
And brought them down to their endless sleep.
Yo! Ho, a-terribly, Oh !

So bid them now a long farewell.
Yo! Heave, a-merrily, O !

The day they watched the waters swell.
Yo! Ho, a-terribly, Oh !

Their spirits seaward swept the deep.
The white sea waves above them flew,
The widows and lovers long would weep,
A song we sing to this glorious crew.
Yo! Heave, a-merrily, O !