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]