For that's the way with ev'ry sailor
He will knock you in the perch
Then he'll leave you in the lurch
From admiral to simple whaler
He cannot resist
The bliss of being kissed!
(Oh, yes)
He will upset you
Then forget you
He loves to give the girls a treat
And that's the way with ev'ry sailor
They're all free men
From the seaman
To the adm'ral of the fleet!

A sailor's love is trong
But doesn't last for long
How can a man be faithful
When sailing to Hongkong!
(When sailing to Hongkong)

He travels fast and far
From here to Zanzibar
And thousand girls are sighing
We know what sailors are!
(We know what sailors are)
They're girls from East and West
Tattooed upon his chest:
It helps him to remember which one he loves the best!
For that's the way with ev'ry sailor
He will knock you in the perch
Then he'll leave you in the lurch
From admiral to simple whaler
He cannot resist
The bliss of being kissed!
He will upset you
Then forget you
He loves to give the girls a treat
And that's the way with ev'ry sailor
They're all free men
From the seaman
To the adm'ral of the fleet!

You girls who live on land
Be sure you understand
A sailor only loves, when that love is contraband!
(That love is contraband)
A wife in ev'ry port
Is his idea of sport!
That makes his life a gay one because he knows it's short!
(Because he knows it's short)
And so when he appears
You can be sure, my dears
He'll show you paradise but you're bound to end in tears!
For that's the way with ev'ry sailor
He will knock you in the perch
Then he'll leave you in the lurch
From admiral to simple whaler
He cannot resist
The bliss of being kissed!
He will upset you
Then forget you
He loves to give the girls a treat
And that's the way with ev'ry sailor
They're all free men
From the seaman
To the adm'ral of the fleet!

They're all free men
From the seaman
To the adm'ral of the fleet!
They're all free men
From the seaman
To the adm'ral of the fleet!