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!