There's many a ship with taller mast,
There's many of squarer yard,
There's many a one that sails as fast
And many that roll as hard;
With decks as white, with paint as bright,
With hull as staunch and sound;
But never ship that steers so light
As the ship that's homeward bound!
_Then give her a spoke, and keep her west,
Hurrah, for the world is round!
And here's to the ship that steers the best--
Hurrah for the homeward bound!_
There's many a port in distant land
And many a splendid sight,
Where turret slim and palace grand
Rise skyward tall and white;
Where castles rear, and far and near
Shines many a golden dome;
But never sight that's half so dear
As the dear old port at home.
_Then give her a spoke, and keep her west,
Hurrah for a breeze astern!
And here's to the port we love the best--
The port where the twin-lights burn!_
There's many a maid of fashion rare
In warm and palmy lands,
With sea-deep eyes and night-black hair
And brown and shapely hands;
With lips as red as ever led
The heart of a man to roam,
But never one we'd take instead
Of the girl that waits at home.
_Then give her a spoke and keep her west,
Hurrah for a wake of foam!
And here's to the girl we love the best--
The girl that we leave at home._