D
Well who wouldn't be a sailor lad,sailing on the main,
   A                         D
To gain the good will of his captain's good name,
D        G          D              A
He came ashore one evening for to be,
      D              G            A                D
And that was the beginning of me old true love and me.

[Chorus]
         D
And it's home boys home,home I'd like to be,
G          D               A
Home for a while in me own country,
          D           G           D           A
Where the Oak and the Ash,and the bonny Rowan tree,
     D            G             A    D
Are all growing greener in the old country.

[Verse 2]
       D
Well I asked her for a candle for to light me way to bed,
    A                              D
And likewise for a handkerchief to tie around me head,
D                 G             D                   A
She tended to me needs like a young maid aught to do,
      D             G                 A               D
And then I said to her now would you leap in with me too.

[Chorus]
         D
And it's home boys home,home I'd like to be,
G          D               A
Home for a while in me own country,
          D           G           D           A
Where the Oak and the Ash,and the bonny Rowan tree,
     D            G             A     D
Are all growing greener in the old country.

[Verse 3]
         D
Well she jumped into bed making no alarm,
D                G                D            A
Thinking a young sailor lad could do to her no harm,
       D                G              D           A
Well I hugged her and I kissed her the whole night long,
          D          G                    A            D
Till she wished the short night,had been seven years long.

[Chorus]
         D
And it's home boys home,home I'd like to be,
G          D               A
Home for a while in me own country,
          D           G           D           A
Where the Oak and the Ash,and the bonny Rowan tree,
     D             G            A     D
Are all growing greener in the old country.

[Verse 4]
     D
Well early next morning the sailor lad arose,
    G                         D          A
And into Mary's apron threw a handful of gold,
       D            G            D                  A
Saying take this me dear for the mischief that I've done,
     D                   G                A            D
For tonight I fear I've left you with a daughter or a son.

[Chorus]
         D
And it's home boys home,home I'd like to be,
G          D               A
Home for a while in me own country,
          D           G           D           A
Where the Oak and the Ash,and the bonny Rowan tree,
    D             G            A      D
Are all growing greener in the old country.

[Verse 5]
     D
Well if it be a girl child send her out to nurse,
     G                      D             A
With gold in her pocket and silver in her purse,
    D          G               D               A
And if it be a boy child,he'll wear the jacket blue,
          D              G              A             D
And go climbing up the riggin like his daddy used to do.

[Chorus]
         D
And it's home boys home,home I'd like to be,
G          D               A
Home for a while in me own country,
          D           G           D           A
Where the Oak and the Ash,and the bonny Rowan tree,
     D            G             A     D
Are all growing greener in the old country.

[Verse 6]
     D
Oh come all of you fair maidens, a warning take by me,
     G                         D              A
And never let a sailor lad an inch above your knee,
    D          G      D           A
For I trusted one and he beguiled me,
    D              G              A             D
He left me with a pair of twins to dangle on me knee.