Twenty-six miles across the sea Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me Santa Catalina, the island of romance Romance, romance, romance Water all around it everywhere Tropical trees and the salty air But for me the thing that's a-waitin' there, romance It seems so distant, twenty-six miles away Restin' in the water serene I'd work for anyone, even the Navy Who would float me to my island dream Twenty-six miles, so near yet far I'd swim with just some water-wings and my guitar I could leave the wings But I'll need the guitar for romance Romance, romance, romance Twenty-six miles across the sea Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me Santa Catalina, the island of romance A tropical heaven out in the ocean Covered with trees and girls If I have to swim, I'll do it forever 'Til I'm gazin' on those island pearls Forty kilometers in a leaky old boat Any old thing that'll stay afloat When we arrive we'll all promote romance Romance, romance, romance Twenty-six miles across the sea Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me Santa Catalina The island of romance Romance, romance, romance Twenty-six miles across the sea Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me