When I first come to this country in Eighteen and Forty-nine
I saw many fair lovers but I never saw mine
I view it all around me, saw that I was quite alone
And me, a poor stranger, and a long ways from home

Well, it's not this long journey I'm dreading for to go
Or the country that I'm leaving or the debts that I owe
There's only one thing that troubles my mind
And that's leaving my darling pretty Saro behind

Fare thee well to old mother, fare thee well to father too
I'm going for to ramble this wild world all through
And when I get weary, I'll sit down and cry
For leaving my darling pretty Saro behind

Well I wish I was a turtledove, had wings, and could fly
Right now to my lover's lodgings, tonight I'd draw nigh
And there in her lily white arms, I'd lie there all night
And watch them little windows for the coming of day