Rio Grande is a nineteenth-century sea shanty, traditionally popular amongst American and British crews. Some people believe the title refers to the Rio Grande river, which forms much of the border between Mexico and the United States; but the shanty talks about the Brazilian state Rio Grande do Sul and its chief port of the same name
O say was you ever in Rio Grande?
Away for Rio
It’s there that the river runs down golden sand
For we’re bound to the Rio Grande
(Chorus)
And away, boys, away
Away for Rio
Sing fare you well my pretty young girls
For we’re bound to the Rio Grande
Oh, New York town is no place for me
Away [etc]
I’ll pack up my bag and go out to sea
For we’re [etc]
So it’s pack up your donkey and get under way
The girls we are leaving can take our half pay
We’ll sell our salt cod for molasses and rum
And get home again ‘fore Thanksgiving has come
Sing good bye to Nellie and good bye to Sue
And you who are listening, good bye to you
And good-bye, fare you well, all you ladies of town
We’ve left you enough for to buy a silk gown