From tortuga's port, we put to sea
And sailed for 16 days
In the biggest storm I'd ever seen
We almost lost our way

When a call came from a deckhand
Boys, I think she's going down
But don't you fear
There's enough rum here, to drink until we drown!

Ho!
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning

Hooray, and up she rises (hooray)
Hooray, and up she rises (hooray)
Hooray, and up she rises (hooray)
Early in the morning

So this deckhand grabbed a barrel
Broke the seal and took a swig
And soon their screams turned into songs
Their panicked work turned into jigs

The first mate bellowed orders
Ever trying to save their skins
Any drunken retch the captain catch
He'll beat all limb from limb!

Ho!
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning

Hooray and up she rises (hooray)
Hooray and up she rises (hooray)
Hooray and up she rises (hooray)
Early in the morning

Every man continued drinking
All their duties long forgot
They were deaf to every order
Till they heard a pistol shot

The captain stood on folks
All swung the cat above his head
Back to yer post, or by my ghost
Ye'll wish that ye were dead!

Oh!
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning

Hooray and up she rises (hooray)
Hooray and up she rises (hooray)
Hooray and up she rises (hooray)
Early in the morning

Every drunk received a beating
Some of the drunker managed two
The captain kept an eye
Until he'd sobered up his crew

He then retired to quarters
Put the rum upon his shelf
Sat in his seat; put up his feet
And drank the rest himself!

Ho!
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning

Hooray and up she rises (hooray)
Hooray and up she rises (hooray)
Hooray and up she rises (hooray)
Early in the morning

Put him in the longboat till he's sober
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Throw him in the hold with the captain's daughter
Early in the morning