So hoist up the John B's sail.
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 he got drunk,
And broke in the Captain's trunk.
The 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's sail,
See how the main sail sets.
Call for the Captain ashore.
Let me go home, let me go home,
I wanna go home, let me go home.
Why don't you let me go home?
(Hoist up the John B's sail).
Hoist up the John B.
I feel so broke up, I wanna go home.
Let me go home.

The poor cook he caught the fits,
And threw away all my grits.
And 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's sail.
See how the main sail sets.
Call for the Captain ashore.
Let me go home, let me go home.
I wanna go home, let me go home.
Why don't you let me go home?