The sun was setting in the west The birds were singing on ev'ry tree All nature seemed inclined for the rest But still there was no rest for me
Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea-bound coast Let your mountains dark and dreary be And when I am far away on the briny oceans tossed Will you ever heave a sigh and a wish for me?
I grieve to leave my native land I grieve to leave my comrades all (And) my aged parents whom I always held so dear And the bonnie, bonnie lass (that) I do adore
The drums are beating the wars do alarm The captain calls, we must obey So farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms For it's early in the morning I am far, far away
I have three brothers and they (are) at rest Their arms are folded upon their breast But a poor simple sailor just like me Must be tossed and driven on the dark blue sea