The seafarin′ life, I know it right well
It's a fool′s paradise, the truth I will tell
When you're caught in a storm
Between Heaven and Hell
You pray just to see one more morn'
    
But likewise on land there′s hardships galore
Poor innocent sailors and up sick and sore
There′s horrible things that can happen ashore
And you'll wish that you′d never been born
Yes, you'll wish that you′d never been born
    
Three, four
    
In the port, we rant and roar
Drink like hell and call for more
There's not much trouble on the shore
For a sailor boy like me
    
Back to sea where we belong
Away from women, wine, and song
Drunk as Scots and money gone
When will we ever learn
    
On the shore, we take our lead
Spendin' money as you please
Thank god it′s just a three-day leave
We couldn't take much more
    
Back to sea where we belong
Away from women, wine, and song
Drunk as Scots and money gone
When will we ever learn
    
All the lassies love us so
They cling to us, the whiskey flows
They have us sailors well in tow
'Til we return to sea
    
Back to sea where we belong
Away from women, wine, and song
Drunk as Scots and money gone
When will we ever learn
    
Stormy seas and living gales
Can make the strongest spirit fail
Irish sailors hard as nails
That′s what we tell ourselves
    
Back to sea where we belong
Away from women, wine, and song
Drunk as Scots and money gone
When will we ever learn
    
So take heed all you sailors who venture ashore
Beware of the pitfalls that might be in store
With the lassies and the drinkin′
You'll be tattered and torn
You′d be safer at sea in a storm
Oh, much safer at sea in a storm
    
Back to sea where we belong
Away from women, wine, and song
Drunk as Scots and money gone
When will we ever learn
    
Back to sea where we belong
Away from women, wine, and song
Drunk as Scots and money gone
When will we ever learn
    
Hey!