Canadee-i-o

Traditional, arranged by Bob Dylan

(Official lyrics @ www.bobdylan.com)

Bob Dylan's Garage Studio, Malibu, CA - late july -- early august 1992  

Well it's all of a fair and handsome girl, she's all in her tender years 
She fell in love with a sailor boy, it's true she loved him well
But a girl ought to stay with him but she did not know how
She longed to see that seaport town called Canadee-I-O.

So she bargained with the sailor boy, offered a piece of gold 
Straightway then he led her down into the hold 
Saying, "I'll dress you up in sailors clothes, your jacket shall be blue
You'll see that seaport town called Canadee-I-O."

Now when the other sailors heard the news, well they fell into a rage 
And with all the ship's company they were willing to engage 
Saying, "We'll tie her hands and feet, my boys, overboard we'll throw her
She'll never see that seaport town called Canadee-I-O."

Now when the captain he heard the news, well he too fell into a rage 
And with the whole ship's company he was willing to engage 
Saying, "She'll stay on in sailors clothes, her color shall be blue 
She'll see that seaport town called Canadee-I-O."

Now when they came down to Canada, scarcely about half a year  
She's married this bold captain who called her his dear 
She's dressed in silks and satins now, she cuts a girlish charm  
Finest of the ladies down Canadee-I-O.

"Come all you fair and tender girls, wheresoever you may be 
I'll have you follow your own true love, whenever he goes to sea 
For if the sailors prove false to you, well the captain he might prove true
You'll see the honor I have gained by the wearing of the blue."