There lies a ship at her moorings out there on yonder stream;
Her lines upon the water are lovely like a dream,
And like a dream she'll slip away with the first dawning gleam,
For she's bound for Rio Grande with the morning tide.
Yes, she's bound for Rio Grande, and it's there that I would be,
And every rope aboard her is singing to be free;
Oh, good-bye to your sweetheart dear and good-bye to your bride
If you're bound for Rio Grande with the morning tide!

I heard the seagulls piping round, and all seemed to say
Was, 'Come you out, young sailorman, it's time to come away.
Oh, heave your donkey's breakfast in, there isn't time to stay
If you're bound for Rio Grande with the morning tide -
If you're bound for Rio Grande away, and oceans two or three,
And ports a plenty up and down for likely lads to see,
All across the seas, Johnnie, round the world so wide,
Going out to Rio Grande with the morning tide.'

The lights in Paddy Ryan's bar they're shining on the shore;
Bid your friends good-be, Johnnie, pay you now your score,
For you don't want the sight or smell o' the harbour any more,
When you're bound for Rio Grande with the morning tide.
And 'Away My Rolling River' - for the sun's put out the stars
A-tangle in her royal yards, and the frost is on her spars;
Oh, the deep sea hunger's hold of her, and not to be denied,
Going out to Rio Grande with the morning tide!