[Verse 1] (Lead, All)
I heard, I heard the old man say
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay
Today, today's a holiday
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay

[Chorus]
Too-rye-ay, oh, too-rye-ay
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay

[Verse 2]
We're bound away for Frisco Bay
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay
We're bound away at the break of day
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay

[Chorus]
Too-rye-ay, oh, too-rye-ay
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay

[Verse 3]
I thought I heard the bosun say
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay
We'll work tomorrow, no work today
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay
[Chorus]
Too-rye-ay, oh, too-rye-ay
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay

[Verse 4]
It's rotten meat and weevily bread
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay
In six months' time you'll wish you were dead
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay

[Chorus]
Too-rye-ay, oh, too-rye-ay
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay

[Verse 5]
Whеn we arrive in Mobile Bay
John Kanaka-naka, too-ryе-ay
We'll tear the sheets and spend our pay
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay

[Chorus]
Too-rye-ay, oh, too-rye-ay
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay

[Verse 6]
The skipper says before we're through
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay
You'll curse your mother for having you
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay
[Chorus]
Too-rye-ay, oh, too-rye-ay
John Kanaka-naka, too-rye-ay