Banks of Newfoundland

You Western Ocean laborers, I'll have you all beware
When you're working on a packet-ship, no dungaree oil skins wear
But have a big monkey jacket already at your command
And we'll bid farewell to the virgin rocks
On the banks of the Newfoundland

We will rub around and scrub around
With holy stone and sand
And we'll bid farewell to the virgin rocks
On the banks of the Newfoundland

As I lay on my bunk one night a-dreaming all alone
I dreamt I was in Liverpool, way up by Marylebone
With my true love there beside of me, and a jug of ale in my hand
Ah, but I woke quite brokenhearted by the banks of Newfoundland

We will rub around and scrub around
With holy stone and sand
And we'll bid farewell to the virgin rocks
On the banks of the Newfoundland

We had one female passenger, Bridget Riley was her name
She was fourteen years transported boys for playing, not the game
But she tore up her flannel petticoats to make mittens for our hands
For she could not see the poor boys freeze on the banks of Newfoundland

We will rub around and scrub around
With holy stone and sand
And we'll bid farewell to the virgin rocks
On the banks of the Newfoundland

And we're off Sandy Hook
And the boys and the land is all covered with snow
And the tug-boat take up our hawser, and for New York time will tow
And when we get to the Black Ball dock
All the boys and the girls there will stand
For if we are here, we cannot be there on the banks of Newfoundland

We will rub around and scrub around
With holy stone and sand
And we'll bid farewell to the virgin rocks
On the banks of the Newfoundland

We will rub around and scrub around
With holy stone and sand
And we'll bid farewell to the virgin rocks
On the banks of the Newfoundland