We come on the Sloop John B.
My grandfather(to ja, c’nie?) and me
Around Nassau Town we did roam.
Drinking all night, got into a fight.
Well, I fell so broke up, I want to go home.

So hoist up the John B. sails,
See how the main-sail sets.
Call for the Captain ashore, let me go home
Let me go home, I wanna go home
Well, I feel so broke up, I wanna go home

The first mate (tu i dalej podstawiamy osoby wg. uznania), he got drunk.
Broke in the Captain’s trunk.
Constable had to come and take him away.
Sheriff John Stone, why don’t you leave me alone?
Well, I feel so broke up, I wanna go home

So hoist up the John B. sails.
See how the main-sail sets.
Call for the Captain ashore, let me go home
Let me go home, I wanna go home
Well, I feel so broke up, I wanna go home

The poor cook he took fits.
Through away all my grits.
Then he took and he ate up all of my corn.
Let me go home, why don’t they let me go home?
This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on

So hoist up the John B. sails
See how the main sail sets
Call for the Captain ashore, let me go home
Let me go home, I wanna go home…