[Verse 1]
Man born of woman was a sailor for to be
Born to degradation in every degree
Of guard mount and gun drill he never has his ease
He has so many masters that he don't know whom to please

[Chorus]
Home, boys, home, that's where I want to be
Home, boys, home, way back in God's country
The ash and the oak and the weeping willow tree
We're strong for the navy, but it's home we ought to be

[Verse 2]
You go up to the Captain if you want to get away
You ask him for a leave for months, at a higher rate of pay
You write out your request for him, he'll sign it if he can
You can stay away and never come back, he doesn't give a damn

[Chorus]
Home, boys, home, that's where I want to be
Home, boys, home, way back in God's country
The ash and the oak and the weeping willow tree
We're strong for the navy, but it's home we ought to be

[Verse 3]
You go and see the Paymaster if you want to draw some pay
He'll work it out and he'll figure it, it's marked from day to day
He'll pass you on the money with a careless sort of slam
Oh, the money don't belong to him, so he doesn't give a damn
[Chorus]
Home, boys, home, that's where I want to be
Home, boys, home, way back in God's country
The ash and the oak and the weeping willow tree
We're strong for the navy, but it's home we ought to be

[Verse 4]
You go up to the doctor if you're feeling kind of ill
The doctor looks you over, then you get the same old pill
If you die, the men salute, they even call the band
Well, the Navy's done its duty, so they don't give a damn

[Chorus]
Home, boys, home, that's where I want to be
Home, boys, home, way back in God's country
The ash and the oak and the weeping willow tree
We're strong for the navy, but it's home we ought to be

[Verse 5]
You go up to the Chaplain when you know you're gonna die
He'll teach you how to beat the rap and live up in the sky
He'll launderize your record so you're clean as any lamb
The Navy goes to heaven, boys, so we don't give a damn

[Chorus]
Home, boys, home, that's where I want to be
Home, boys, home, way back in God's country
The ash and the oak and the weeping willow tree
We're strong for the navy, but it's home we ought to be