Canadee-I-O - 10,000 Maniacs

It’s of a fair and handsome girl, she’s all in her tender years

She fell in love with a sailor boy and it’s true that she loved him well

For to go off to sea with him, like she did not know how

She longed to see that seaport town, called Canadee-I-O

So she bargained with a young sailor boy, it’s all for a piece of gold

Straighway he led her all down into the hold

Saying I’ll dress you up in sailor’s clothes, your jacket shall be blue

You’ll see that seaport town, called Canadee-I-O

Now, when the other sailors heard the news, they fell into a rage

And with all the whole ship’s company, they were willing to engage

Saying «We'll tie her hands and feet me boys, overboard we’ll throw her

And she’ll never see that seaport town, called Canadee-I-O.»

Now, when the captain he’s heard the news, well he too fell into a rage

And with his whole ship’s company he was willing to engage

Saying «She'll stay all in sailor’s clothes, her collar shall be blue

She’ll see that seaport town, called Canadee-I-O.»

Now when they came down to Canada, scarcely above half a year

She’s married this bold captain, who called her his dear

She’s dressed in silks and satins now, and she cuts a gallant show

She’s the finest of the ladies down in Canadee-I-O

Come all you fair and tender girls, wheresoever you may be

I’d have you follow your own true love when he goes out on the sea

For if the sailors prove false to you, well the captain he might prove true

To see the honour that I have gained by the wearing of the blue