| As I was goin' round Cape Horn, |
| Go down, ye blood red roses, go down! |
| I wish to Christ I'd never been born. |
| Chorus: |
| Go down, ye blood red roses, go down! |
| Oh, you pinks and posies, |
| Go down, ye blood red roses, go down! |
| Our boots and clothes is all in pawn, |
| Go down, ye blood red roses, go down! |
| And it's flamin' drafty round Cape Horn. |
| Chorus |
| You've spent your money & to sea you must go! |
| Go down, ye blood red roses, go down! |
| To load saltpeter in Callao. |
| Chorus |
| Me dear old mother, she wrote to me, |
| Go down, ye blood red roses, go down! |
| "Come home me darlin', from the sea." |
| Chorus |
| "Oh, rock her and shake her" is the cry, |
| Go down, ye blood red roses, go down! |
| The bloody tops'l sheave is dry. |
| Chorus |
| Taken from "Shanty Seattle". |