I sing of a Captain not unknown to fame;

A naval commander, Bill Jinks was his name,

Who sailed where the Murray’s clear waters do flow,

Did this freshwater shellback, with his Yo heave a yo.

Chorus:

Yo.. Ho.., Yo Heave a Ho

To the Port of Wahgunyah his vessel was bound

When night comes upon him and darkness around;

Not a star on the waters its clear light did throw;

But the vessel sped onward with a Yo heave a yo.

Chorus

“Oh! Captain, oh! Captain, let’s make for the shore,

For the winds they do rage and the winds they do roar!”

“Nay, nay,” said the captain, “though the fierce winds may blow

I will stick to my vessel with a Yo heave a yo.”

Chorus

“Oh! Captain, oh! Captain, the waves sweep the deck,

Oh Captain, oh! Captain, we’ll soon be a wreck —

To the river’s deep bosom each seaman will go!”

But the captain laughed lightly, with his Yo heave a yo.

Chorus

“Farewell to the maiden— the girl I adore;

Farewell to my friends — I shall see them no more!”

The crew shrieked in terror, the captain he swore —

They had stuck on a sandbank, so the men walked ashore.

Chorus