[Verse 1]
He met her in Venezu-e-e-e-e-e-e-la
With a basket on her head
If she had met others, she did not say
But he knew she'd do to pass away
To pass away the time in Venezuela
To pass away the time in Venezu-e-e-e-e-e-e-la

[Verse 2]
He gave her a si-i-ilken sash of blue
A silken sash of blue
Because I knew that she would do
With all the things he knew she knew
To pass away the time in Venezuela
To pass away the time in Venezu-e-e-e-e-e-e-la

[Verse 3]
Her lingo was strange, but the thought of her smile
The thought of her smile
Will taunt him, and haunt him, for many a mile
For she was his love, and she helped the while
To pass away the time in Venezuela
To pass away the time in Venezu-e-e-e-e-e-e-la

[Verse 4]
And when the wi-i-ind put out to sea
The wind put out to sea
And she was taking leave, said he:
"Cheer up – you know there'll always be
Sailors ashore with leave in Venezuela
Sailors to pass their time in Venezu-e-e-e-e-e-e-la"