In Portsmouth town there lived a maid
Do mind what I do say!
In Portsmouth town there lived a maid
The British Navy was her trade,

Chorus:
I'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid.
A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's been my ru-i-in
I'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid.

She swore to me that she was true
Do mind what I do say!
She's true to me, she's true to you
She's true to the whole damn Navy, too

Chorus:

I put me hand upon her toe
Do mind what I do say!
I put me hand upon her toe
she, "Young man, you're rather low"

Chorus:

I put me hand upon her knee
Do mind what I do say!
I put me hand upon her knee
Sez she, "Young man, you're makin' free"

Chorus:

I put me hand upon her thigh
Do mind what I do say!
I put me hand upon her thigh
Sez she, "Young man, you're drawin' nigh"

Chorus:

I put me hand upon her thatch
Do mind what I do say!
I put me hand upon her thatch
Sez she, "Young man, that's my main hatch"

Chorus:

I slipped me mainmast to her blocks
Do mind what I do say!
I slipped me mainmast to her blocks
Sez she, "Young man, I've got the pox!"

Chorus: