I fell in love with a Limehouse lass,
  But she has proved untrue:
She looked as fresh as a figurehead
  That's just been painted new:

But she's took and married a lighterman,
  So it's time for me to go,
But I would have loved you so, my dear,
  I would have loved you so!

Oh, a shake o' the forsheet pays for all
  That a sailor leaves behind,
For an alehouse shot, and a friend forgot,
  And a sweetheart false or kind.

And a bloomin' mudhook's off the ground,
  for it's time for us to go:
But I would have loved you so, my dear,
  I would have loved you so!

Now a long goodbye to Limehouse Reach,
  And a last goodbye to you:
A feller's a fool to die for love,
  Which I don't mean to do.

There are girls as smart in every port
  From here to Callao
But I would have loved you so, my dear,
  I would have loved you so!