The sun was setting in the west
The birds were singing on ev'ry tree.
All nature seemed inclined to rest
But still there was no rest for me.

Chorus:
Farewell to Nova Scotia, you sea-bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be.
For when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh and a wish for me?

I grieve to leave my native land
I grieve to leave my comrades all
And my aged, loving parents whom I held so dear
And the bonnie, bonnie lass that I do adore.

The drums they do beat and the wars do alarm
The captain calls, we must obey
So farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms
For it's early in the morning I am far, far away.

I have three brothers and they are at rest
Their arms are folded on their breasts.
But a poor weary sailor the likes of me
Must be tossed and forgotten on the lonesome sea.