Down the way where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop
I took a trip on a sailing ship
But when I reached Jamaica I made her stop

But I'm sad to say
I'm on my way
I won't be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
Ackee rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is fine anytime of year

But I'm sad to say
I'm on my way
I won't be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico

But I'm sad to say
I'm on my way
I won't be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Down the way where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop
I took a trip on a sailing ship
But when I reached Jamaica I made a stop

But I'm sad to say
I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town