[Verse 1]
We come on the sloop John B
My grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinking all night
Got into a fight, yeah yeah
Well I feel so broke up
I want to go home

[Chorus]
So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home
I want to go home
Why don't they let me go home, yeah yeah
Oh I feel so broke up I want to go home

[Verse 2]
First mate he got drunk
Broke into the Cap'n's trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone
Why don't they leave me alone, yeah yeah
Oh I feel so broke up I want to go home
[Chorus]
So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home (let me go home)
I want to go home (let me go home)
Why don't they let me go home (hoist up the John B's sail)
Yeah, I feel so broke up I want to go home

[Verse 3]
The poor cook he caught the fits
Threw away all my grits
Then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Sheriff John Stone
Why don't they let me alone, yeah yeah
This is the worst trip I've ever been on

[Chorus]
So hoist up the John B's sail (so hoist up the John B's sail)
See how the mainsail sets (see how the mainsail sets)
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home (let me go home)
I want to go home (let me go home)
Why don't they let me go home (hoist up the John B's sail)
Well I feel so broke up I want to go home
So hoist up the John B's sail (hoist up the John B's sail)
I said see how the mainsail sets (see how the mainsail sets)
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home (let me go home)
I want to go home (let me go home)
Why don't they let me go home (hoist up the John B's sail)
This is the worst trip I've ever been on