[Verse 1]
Now, shipmates listen unto me
And I'll tell you with my song
Of the things that happen to me
When I came home from Hong Kong

[Chorus]
It's away, you Santee
My dear Annie!
Oh, you New York Girls
Can't you dance the polka?

[Verse 2]
As I walk down beside the docks
A fair maid I did meet
She asked me for to see her home
And she lived on Bleeker Street

[Chorus]
It's away, you Santee
My dear Annie!
Oh, you New York Girls
Can't you dance the polka?

[Verse 3]
Says, "Hi, my dear young lady
I'm a stranger here in town
Left my ship just yesterday
And for Boston, I am bound."
[Chorus]
It's away, you Santee
My dear Annie!
Oh, you New York Girls
Can't you dance thе polka?

[Verse 4]
Says she, "if you will come with me
Thеn you will have a treatment
For you shall have some brandy
Or something nice to eat"

[Chorus]
It's away, you Santee
My dear Annie!
Oh, you New York Girls
Can't you dance the polka?

[Verse 5]
When we got down to Bleeker Street
We stopped at forty-four
And there her twenty sisters
Were waiting by the door

[Chorus]
It's away, you Santee
My dear Annie!
Oh, you New York Girls
Can't you dance the polka?
[Verse 6]
They gave me wine that tasted fine
But it went right to my head
Then they threw their clothes away
And they carried me to bed

[Chorus]
It's away, you Santee
My dear Annie!
Oh, you New York Girls
Can't you dance the polka?

[Verse 7]
When I awoke next morning
I had an aching head
Me clothes and all me money
And me lady friends had left

[Chorus]
It's away, you Santee
My dear Annie!
Oh, you New York Girls
Can't you dance the polka?

[Verse 8]
Lord, I don't miss the money
As some other sailors might
But I wish I could remember
If I had some fun last night
[Chorus]
It's away, you Santee
My dear Annie!
Oh, you New York Girls
Can't you dance the polka?

It's away, you Santee
My dear Annie!
Oh, you New York Girls
Can't you dance the polka?